Tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain passed away in San Francisco at the age of 73 from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a severe chronic disorder that affects the lungs. At present, there is no such cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.(Reuters) The demise of the music world’s veteran has raised several questions at this IPF illness. Here’s all you need to know about it. What is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis As per US’ National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NIH), is a serious chronic lung disease that affects the tissues around the air sacs, or alveoli, in the organ. The condition develops when for unknown reasons the lung tissue gets thick and stiff. Over time, these changes can cause the lungs to be permanently scarred, also known as fibrosis, making it progressively difficult for an individual to breathe. An individual with a habit of smoking or family history of IPF, is at a higher risk of getting the disease and this risk only increases with age. Causes of IPF The scarring of the tissue seems to be the result of …