3. Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that occurs when granulomas — masses of inflammatory tissue — develop in the lungs, brain, and other organs. There are various types of sarcoidosis that can affect various areas in the body, but pulmonary sarcoidosis is the type that can cause pulmonary fibrosis.
The inflammation that pulmonary sarcoidosis causes to the lungs can lead to the formation of scar tissue — thus reducing the efficiency of the lungs and causing pulmonary fibrosis.
The exact cause of sarcoidosis is unknown but many doctors believe that it is due to a genetic predisposition that is triggered upon coming into contact with an unknown substance such as a chemical or toxin. If you are confirmed to have sarcoidosis then start to notice the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis then there’s a high likelihood that the former caused the latter.