Causes
Pulmonary fibrosis can happen for different reasons, including:
Breathing in harmful substances like dust, mold, or chemicals
Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis
Some medicines, like chemotherapy drugs
Sometimes, doctors don’t know the cause—this is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Symptoms
Common signs of pulmonary fibrosis include:
Shortness of breath, especially when moving around
A dry cough that won’t go away
Feeling tired all the time
Losing weight without trying
Aching muscles and joints
Fingers and nails look wider or rounder than normal