Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Cause Behind Zakir Hussain’s Demise

Why in the news?

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passed away due to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease causing irreversible scarring, highlighting awareness about its risks, symptoms, and treatments.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Cause Behind Zakir Hussain’s Demise

What is IPF and How Does It Cause Lung Scarring?

  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive lung disease causing irreversible lung scarring.
  • The condition belongs to interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) that involve lung inflammation and tissue damage.
  • IPF results from abnormal healing responses:
    • Environmental factors like dust, smoke, infections, or autoimmune responses cause lung injuries.
    • Normally, the body repairs tissues temporarily, but in IPF, this process becomes dysregulated.
    • Excessive collagen and fibrous material replace normal lung tissue, impairing lung function.
  • Genetic predispositions, chronic inflammation, and environmental exposure are contributing factors.

Symptoms and Risk Factors of IPF:

  • Symptoms include:
    • Shortness of breath (dyspnea), dry cough, fatigue, and weight loss.
    • Reduced oxygen levels can lead to pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, or respiratory failure.
  • IPF specifically targets the interstitium (tissue around alveoli), making oxygen absorption difficult.
  • Risk factors:
    • People over 50 years, especially men, are more vulnerable.
    • Current or former smokers and individuals exposed to dust, wood, or metal particles are at higher risk.
    • Incidence rates globally and in India are between 0.09 to 1.30 per 10,000 people.

Diagnosis and Treatment:

  • Diagnosis includes high-resolution CT scans, pulmonary function tests, and lung biopsies after ruling out other diseases.
  • Treatments aim to slow progression:
    • Antifibrotic drugs like pirfenidone and nintedanib, oxygen therapy, and lung exercises.
  • Advanced cases may require lung transplants. Early diagnosis is crucial as IPF worsens over time despite treatment.

Zakir Hussain: Key Highlights

  • Birth: March 9, 1951, Mumbai, India.
  • Family & Roots: Son of legendary tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha; trained in the Punjab Gharana tradition.
  • Music Legacy: Pioneer in Indian classical and fusion music, blending tabla with jazz, film, and world music.
  • Achievements: 5 Grammy Awards, Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), Padma Vibhushan (2023).
  • Collaborations: Worked with John McLaughlin, Pandit Ravi Shankar, and Ali Akbar Khan.
  • Global Influence: Popularized the tabla worldwide through concerts and collaborations.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times