IPF: Management Make an Appointment Ask a Question Search Conditions This information was reviewed and approved by Jeffrey James Swigris, DO, MS (9/1/2017). How is IPF ManagedPeople 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. Video Transcript TranscriptTreatment options can be broken into: medicinal or medicines, and non-medicinal therapies.Those medicines are approved for IPF, not other types of pulmonary fibrosis and they have been shown to slow the progression of IPF on average.Non-medicinal therapies or non-medication therapies are very important as well.Many, if not most, patients with IPF will end up needing supplemental oxygen at some point in their disease. We believe pulmonary rehabilitation is another critical component of the therapeutic regimen.These patients are at risk for comorbid conditions.So it’s important to look for those comorbid conditions and decide whether therapy is needed for those.Finally, like patients with other chronic respiratory conditions, patients with IPF need to be vaccinated.So we recommend an annual influenza vaccine and vaccination against pneumococcus and pertussis as well. IPF management includes:Partnering with your health care provider to formulate a comprehensive treatment planLearning more about IPFLiving a full life that includes adopting a healthy lifestyle involvingRegular exerciseHealthy eatingRestSupport from othersAttending to your emotional healthGiving up smoking if you smoke (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, marijuana)Avoiding infectionsTaking medication as prescribedUsing oxygen therapy when prescribedUsing breathing techniquesDetermining whether lung transplantation is an option for youFollowing an action planAction plan every dayAction plan for exacerbationsLearning about palliative careNeeds of care, physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritualCommunity resourcesAdvanced care needsNow that you have an overview of IPF management, let’s review each topic in more detail. Partnering with Your Health Care ProviderAsk questions and work together to formulate a comprehensive treatment plan to manage IPF. Learn More about IPFAttend the Joe Walsh Memorial Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group at National Jewish HealthRead the Understanding Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) BookletTrustworthy sources of information about IPF include the National Jewish Health website and that of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Ask your provider for other recommendations. Clinical Trials Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) & GERD BBT-877: Possible Treatment for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Improving Treatment for IPF Pulmonary Fibrosis & Genetic Factors