What is Popcorn Lung?
Popcorn lung is a serious respiratory illness that might result from inhaling toxic substances. Also known as Bronchiolitis Obliterans, this condition can lead to long-term health complications that might make it hard to breathe. This condition develops due to inflammation that takes place in the chest cavity.
There are networks of small air sacs that inflate and deflate as someone breathes. Inflammation that takes place in the lining of these cells leads to the destruction of valuable lung tissue. This causes serious respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, chest pain, blood in the mucus, and shortness of breath.
Popcorn lung has become more common over the past few months. It is important for everyone to understand this illness and its complications. There are treatment options available that can help someone preserve their lung function.
What are the Causes of Popcorn Lung?
There are a few common causes of popcorn lung. One of the most common is the inhalation of toxic fumes. Fumes found in nylon factories, textile mills, battery factories, and flavoring plants can cause someone to develop this illness. In addition, asbestos exposure, e-cigarette fumes, and other associated products have also been closely associated with the development of popcorn lung. Finally, smoke inhalation, such as the fumes from burning trash, can also cause popcorn lung.
Other common causes include infections such as measles, influenza, and CMV. These conditions can cause inflammation in the chest, leading to popcorn lung. Finally, some people develop a condition called rejection after a lung transplant. In rejection, the immune system attacks the transplanted organ. If the immune system attacks a transplanted lung, this can lead to Bronchiolitis Obliterans.
How Is This Condition Diagnosed?
If a doctor suspects that someone has developed popcorn lung, he or she is going to order a few tests. The first is going to be an x-ray. The doctor will look for evidence of flattened diaphragms on the x-ray. The diaphragms are typically curved; however, if someone is having trouble breathing, the diaphragms will often flatten out to create more room to take bigger breaths.
Then, the doctor may order a CT scan. A CT scan provides better detail than an x-ray. On a CT scan, the haziness of the lungs in Bronchiolitis Obliterans often resembles popcorn, giving the disease its name. The doctor will look for thickening in the linings of the air sacs in the lungs, a result of inflammation.
Finally, the doctor may also perform a lung biopsy. In this procedure, the patient is put to sleep using anesthesia. Then, a trained doctor will use a wire to reach the inner airways of the lungs. The doctor will scrape the edges of these airways to collect a few cells. Then, the cells will be viewed with a microscope. This is often required to confirm the diagnosis.
What are the Treatment Options?
The treatment of this condition centers around prevention first. It is vital for everyone to take steps to protect themselves against fires, asbestos, toxic fumes, and e-cigarette smoke. This can stop someone from developing this deadly lung disease.
If someone has been diagnosed with Bronchiolitis Obliterans, there are treatments available that can stop its progression. Some people are prescribed steroids or immunosuppressive medications to reduce inflammation in the lungs. Vaccinations are needed to protect against diseases that can worsen this condition. Finally, those who are having trouble breathing can be given supplemental oxygen. This can make people feel more comfortable. Popcorn lung is a dangerous disease; however, there are treatment options available that can provide hope for people who have been diagnosed with this illness.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. Popcorn lung is a serious respiratory illness that can result from exposure to dangerous or toxic substances. If an individual you love has fallen ill after inhaling something dangerous due to the negligence of another person or entity, you can call me by using (916) 921-6400 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
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Citation of Images: The photo used at the beginning of this post was located first on Pixabay.com. The image has been printed at this site with the permission of the Creative Commons License.
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