Can traditional Chinese medicine treat pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis can be treated with traditional Chinese medicine, but it usually cannot be cured. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment may help alleviate symptoms and delay disease progression, but it requires comprehensive intervention combined with modern medical methods. Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic disease characterized by destruction of alveolar structure and scarring of lung tissue, mainly manifested as progressive respiratory distress. Traditional Chinese Medicine categorizes pulmonary fibrosis as pulmonary dysfunction, which is believed to be related to lung, spleen, kidney deficiency, and the accumulation of phlegm and blood stasis. The treatment mainly focuses on tonifying the lungs, spleen, and kidneys. Commonly used Qi tonics such as Huangqi, Codonopsis pilosula, and atractylodes macrocephala are combined with blood activating and stasis removing medicines such as Danshen and Sanqi. Clinical studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine formulas such as Bu Fei Huo Xue Tang can improve patients' lung function indicators and reduce the frequency of acute exacerbations. Acupuncture and moxibustion points such as Feishu and Dingchuan may help relieve shortness of breath. Modern medicine has confirmed that pathological changes in pulmonary fibrosis are irreversible, and traditional Chinese medicine treatment cannot repair fibrotic lung tissue. For moderate to severe patients, anti fibrotic drugs such as pirfenidone capsules or nintedanib soft capsules should be used in combination. Long term home oxygen therapy is a necessary measure when severe hypoxemia occurs. Lung transplantation surgery may be considered in the end-stage of the disease. Patients with pulmonary fibrosis should avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, and maintain moderate aerobic exercise such as Ba Duan Jin exercise. It is advisable to choose lung moistening ingredients such as lilies and Tremella fuciformis for diet, and control salt intake. Regularly monitor blood oxygen saturation and pay attention to preventing respiratory infections in winter. When coughing worsens or fever occurs, seek medical attention in a timely manner to avoid taking traditional Chinese medicine on one's own to increase the burden on the liver and kidneys.