idiopathic meaning g
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is scarring or thickening of the lungs without a known cause. Health care providers do not know what causes idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or why some people get it. Idiopathic means the cause is not known. The condition may be due to the lungs responding to an unknown substance or injury. Genes may play a role in developing IPF. The disease occurs most often in people between 50 and 70 years old.