Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary Fibrosis is a scarring of the lungs. Scars are made up of a substance called fibrin.  This fibrin stiffens the lungs, making it harder to breathe. It also ‘fills up’ the lungs. This reduces the capacity of the lungs, making it harder and harder to get a deep breathe. Along with this the sufferer tends to cough. They have fluid in the lungs which they cough up. It is a very uncomfortable and can be life threatening.

Modern medicine considers this an autoimmune illness. They treat it with steroids and asthma type medication. Even with these treatments there is little hope for improvement, only a slowing of the increase of the symptoms. They hope to gain time for the person.

The problem with these treatments is that they lower the immune system.  With a decrease in immune function you catch illnesses easier, and suffer from them more than a person with a healthy immune system would. This decreases the quality of life drastically.

Alternative and/or natural medicine takes a different approach. Fibrin is made up of proteins. It is the same substance that a visual scar on the skin is made up of. Protease is an enzyme that digests proteins. Taken orally it will work on the proteins in the digestive tract first. Whatever is not used will then move to the blood stream. Once in the blood stream it will digest, or break down proteins that don’t belong there. It does not attack the muscles, even though they are also protein based.

Protease can be taken as a supplement alone, or in a blend of enzymes that also help digest other types of foods. For an example Lipase breaks down fats and Amylase breaks down carbohydrates.

Lactase breaks down lactose, from milk products. Pectinase breaks down pectin. Many people prefer to get their protease in one of these blends. These blends help with overall digestion, but just like with the protease all enzymes that are not utilized for digestion can work throughout the body to clean out the debris of everyday living.

In addition to enzymes many alternative or natural medicine practitioners would also recommend boosting the immune system. This is in direct contrast to the modern medicine practitioner.   They are utilizing alternate theories. Modern medicine says that when the immune system is malfunctioning you suppress it. Alternative/natural medicine says that when the immune system is malfunctioning you strengthen it and it will begin functioning properly again.

The word picture that explains strengthening the immune system the best is that of a cornered animal. When a frightened animal feels cornered they will strike out at everything that comes near it. They will even attack their beloved human who is only trying to help. You reduce the attacks on the animal they can once again take time to differentiate between friend and foe.

In regards to the immune system when it is weak and overwhelmed it starts seeing everything it comes into contact with as the enemy, including the human body it is supposed to be protecting. When you begin feeding it and strengthening it the immune system will begin to relax and recognize the difference between friend and foe. It takes time to build it up, and at first the symptoms of the autoimmune disease can worsen, but over time they usually begin to subside.

Pulmonary Fibrosis is a serious problem. Each person has to determine for themselves what the best way to handle it is for them. Taking the steroids and building the immune system at the same time won’t work. Taking the steroids and the enzymes at the same time may give better results than the steroids alone. You are in charge of your health. Only you can make the final decisions.

Sources:
http://www.biomediclabs.com/pulmonary_fibrosis
http://www.pivotalhealth.info/pulmonary_fibrosis2
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pulmonary-fibrosis/basics/definition/CON-20029091
http://pulmonaryhealthnow.com/