IPF: Management

How is IPF Managed

People with IPF can become actively involved in the management of their disease.

Participation in the treatment plan will help people with IPF, their caregivers and family members achieve the best possible results.

IPF management includes:

• Partnering with your health care provider to formulate a comprehensive treatment plan

• Learning more about IPF

• Living a full life that includes adopting a healthy lifestyle involving

  • Regular exercise

  • Healthy eating

  • Rest

  • Support from others

• Attending to your emotional health

• Giving up smoking if you smoke (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, marijuana)

• Avoiding infections

• Taking medication as prescribed

• Using oxygen therapy when prescribed

• Using breathing techniques

• Determining whether lung transplantation is an option for you

• Following an action plan

  • Action plan every day

  • Action plan for exacerbations

• Learning about palliative care

  • Needs of care, physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual

  • Community resources

  • Advanced care needs

Now that you have an overview of IPF management, let’s review each topic in more detail.

Partnering with Your Health Care Provider

Ask questions and work together to formulate a comprehensive treatment plan to manage IPF.

Learn More about IPF

• Attend the Joe Walsh Memorial Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group at National Jewish Health

• Read the Understanding Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Booklet

• Trustworthy sources of information about IPF include the National Jewish Health website and that of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Ask your provider for other recommendations.