“Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is considered a rare, sporadic disease. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 100,000 people in the United States have IPF. Approximately 30,000 to 40,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Worldwide, IPF affects 13 to 20 out of every 100,000 people.
IPF can be difficult to diagnose, mainly because there are few if any symptoms in its earliest stages. Additionally, symptoms of IPF — such as a dry, hacking cough, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort — mimic other conditions.
However, with IPF, breathing becomes so difficult that even being at rest is straining on the body. Other common symptoms include extreme fatigue and clubbing, where the fingertips and nails are enlarged and rounded. People with IPF may also experience unintended weight loss or aching muscles and joints.”
Healthline (www.healthline.com/IPF: Statistics, Facts, and You)