### instruction:
If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patient's description.

### input:
I am 39 yrs. young,178 lbs., smoked since i was 16 somewherez, recently quit at about eight months now, was sick this past winter with a cold an coughing up like crazy, had an x-ray done an recently found that i may have mild lung fibrosis, i am scheduled for a Pulmonary Function Test soon.  what i want to know is if the term MILD, does it just mean that i am in early stages of pulmonary fibrosis.  Now for one, I am not afraid to die but would feel like it would be unfair because i am just trying to get healthy by quitting smoking and drinking alcohol.  so, would having mild lung fibrosis also lead to death and roughly how long would i have if thats the case.  please answer me truthfully!  thank-you very much!

### output:

Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. Yes, mild pulmonary fibrosis means early stage of Pulmonary fibrosis. And in early stages, we can stop progression of fibrosis. So consult pulmonologist and get done PFT (Pulmonary Function Test). This will tell you more about Staging of pulmonary fibrosis. Smoking cessation, pulmonary rehabilitation, chest physiotherapy, deep breathing exercises are non-pharmacological measures to halt progression. Perfinodone and N acetyl cysteine (NAC) are the newer Chat Doctor.  So consult pulmonologist and discuss all these. Prognosis is usually good if you follow all these things. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.