Popcorn lung is an uncommon type of lung disease that is also known as bronchiolitis obliterans that is caused by the buildup of scar tissue in your lungs which then blocks air flow.
Popcorn lung disease also known as bronchiolitis obliterans is not cancer.
The symptoms of popcorn lung or bronchiolitis obliterans include.
Coughing, especially during and after exercise. Coughs may sometimes bring up mucus.
Shortness of breath (dyspnea), especially during and after exercise.
Wheezing.
Tiredness.
Fever.
Night sweats.
Skin rash.
While the name "popcorn lung" may not sound like a threat, it's a serious lung disease that causes coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, similar to the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Popcorn lung usually needs to be diagnosed using an X-ray, CT scan, or surgical lung biopsy, as the condition is often misdiagnosed as asthma, emphysema, or bronchitis.
Your doctor may also want to conduct a pulmonary function test.
Bronchiolitis obliterans is a rare chronic disease that worsens over time.
This disease was first discovered in workers at a microwave popcorn plant who had inhaled the flavoring chemical diacetyl.
Thus, the bronchiolitis obliterans became known as 'popcorn lung'.
Someone with bronchiolitis obliterans has a six-year life expectancy on average.
Some treatments for bronchiolitis obliterans can slow progression and lessen the severity of the symptoms.
Early diagnosis is crucial because treatment will have a greater chance of preventing the disease from getting worse.
Popcorn lung, or bronchiolitis obliterans, is a disease that affects the bronchioles, the small airways in the lungs.
The disease can be treated but not cured.
Bronchiolitis obliterans is most commonly caused by breathing in toxicants over time, the most common being diacetyl.
Some other toxicants linked to causing bronchiolitis obliterans are: Acetaldehyde, found in cannabis and e-cigarette smoke.
Common drugs that cause popcorn lun gor bronchiolitis obliterans include.
Amiodarone.
Bleomycin.
Carbamazepine.
Cyclophosphamide.
Minocycline.
Nitrofurantoin.
Penicillamine.
Phenytoin.