Hi, and thanks for your medical question on eHealth's Ask a Doctor forum.
Lung scarring or fibrosis occurs due to pathological (not normal) deposition of fibrous tissue. This is a progressive disease usually and hence needs frequent periodic monitoring. Fibrosis in lungs is not something rare. However without examining the X-rays, it is difficult to comment upon it. Also it is difficult to say without knowing why the X-rays were ordered.
Long term exposure to pollutants like silica, asbestos, animal droppings, dust, pollens etc can cause this. Other reasons are GERD, certain medications like cancer medicines, some heart medicines or some antibiotics and certain diseases like Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, pneumonia, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and sarcoidosis. It is important to identify the cause for this. At times despite all tests no cause is found.
Please consult a chest specialist. If there is fibrosis, an attempt should be made to find the cause. Hope this helps. Take care!
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