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Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a form of lung disease leading to the scarring of lung tissue resulting in breathing troubles and deprivation in the supply of oxygen to the body.  Its major cause of occurrence can be related to environmental causes such as exposure to dust or chemicals, smoking, familial history of IPF and viral infections. As per 2011 census, over 7.2 crore Indians suffer from rare diseases and IPF is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease that lacks recognition at many different levels which leads to decades of neglect and under diagnoses.

With an aim to increase awareness of growing IPF cases, its distinct symptoms and the importance of early diagnosis,
Dr. Raja Dhar, Director, Department of Pulmonology at Fortis Hospital Anandapur addressed a media briefing.
He was accompanied by Dr. Pawan Agarwal. They also addressed the increasing IPF trend in Kolkata. Dr. Dhar
said, “In the last 10 years, the number of IPF detections have increased significantly, due to better diagnosis. Though the symptoms vary in each individual, the most common symptoms include chronic dry cough, breathlessness, loss of weight or appetite and clubbing of fingers. IPF is more common amongst males.”