Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month 2021: Empowering Better Outcomes

Raising Awareness and Empowering Better Outcomes

September is global pulmonary fibrosis awareness month, and a perfect time to raise awareness of this poorly recognised disease. 

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) affects around 70,000 people in the UK, over 1000 people in Ireland and an estimated 200,000 in the US. But awareness of the condition is low, even among healthcare professionals.  This can make diagnosis a lengthy process for many sufferers. It also means that people with PF find themselves having to explain their symptoms and the impacts of the disease to others. 

One particular common symptom of PF, a persistent cough, has required more explanation than normal since the COVID-19 pandemic. So for PF Month 2021 it’s important to stress that PF is not contagious.  People with PF cannot control their cough. In fact, cough is often one of the most bothersome symptoms for PF patients, and it can be difficult to treat. Action for PF has some helpful information about managing PF cough here. There’s lots of great tips, including keeping a diary to help identify things that might trigger a cough.  

Symptom diaries can be a helpful way to help people manage many different aspects of their PF. An electronic symptom diary It’s just one of the tools included in the patientMpower app that are designed to help patients and clinicians better manage this condition, along with remote  monitoring of spirometry, pulse oximetry, blood pressure and more. We caught up with PF patient advocate Matt Cullen and Matt’s Respiratory Specialist, Dr Killian Hurley, who explain how using the patientMpower app helps Matt and his medical team better manage Matt’s PF. 

“Since using the app, definitely I’m more in control and sure isn’t that a great thing”

Matt Cullen
patientMpower User

To learn more about our work in Pulmonary Fibrosis get in contact with us at info@patientMpower.com.