Renowned musician Zakir Hussain, who weaved magic on tabla, passed away on Monday morning, after being admitted in a San Francisco hospital due to deteriorating health condition. As per the family statement, ‘idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis’ is stated as the cause of death.

Pulmonary fibrosis, or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, is a chronic, progressive lung disease that can severely affect the respiratory functions of the body. Mid-day.com speaks to Dr Kamlesh Pandey, Consultant Chest Physician, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road and Dr Sheetal Chaurasia, Consultant – Pulmonary Medicine, Manipal Hospital, Whitefield, who explain the symptoms and causes of the disease, also stressing on why early diagnosis is essential to slow down its progression.