Symptoms of Pulmonary Fibrosis

Shortness of breath (dyspnoea). It is the main, and most common, symptom of this type of disease. It appears in periods of physical effort, which is known as exertion dyspnoea, which continues to progress gradually and, in more advanced phases of the disease, there may be shortness of breath even at rest. 

Cough. It is usually an irritating cough, with no sputum and at no particular time. It may initially pass unnoticed or may be confused as a sign of a prolonged respiratory infection; however, the persistence of the symptom over time, and its intensification must be taken into account as a sign of fibrosing interstitial lung diseases. 

Dry crackles (Velcro type). They are characteristic of fibrosing DILD and, in particular, pulmonary fibrosis. Its name arises from the noise made by Velcro on separating its two layers, which is audible to the doctor in the auscultation with the stethoscope. 

Tachypnoea. This term is also known as rapid breathing. 

Acropachy. The characteristic of this sign is the painless and insensitive enlargement of the ends of the fingers and toes, due to a thickening of the tissue found below the nails of the fingers and toes. The nail is curved downwards, similar to the shape of the rounded part of a spoon turned upside down. It is a common sign in cases of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, although it can be present in another type of disease.