Zakir Hussain death LIVE updates: PM Modi calls maestro a ‘true genius’; tributes pour in for the tabla player

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, the condition that led to the death of tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, is an extremely debilitating disease — a virtual death sentence.

The only definitive cure is lung transplant and that too if done at the right time.

Dr Avdhesh Bansal, a senior consultant in the department of respiratory and critical care at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said anti-fibrotic medicines and oxygen can delay the progression of the disease, prolonging life by seven-eight years.

“There is no cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Lung transplant definitely offers a cure in selected patients but has to be done at the right time, taking into account the severity of the condition, age and other health factors. Transplant also has a life of five to six years,” he said.

In the Indian scenario, patients have been seen to be living for at least 10 to 12 years from the onset of the disease. – PTI