This article on Epainassist.com has been reviewed by a medical professional person , as well as go over for fact , to insure the reader the substantially potential truth .

We follow a hard-and-fast editorial insurance and we have a zero - tolerance policy regarding any level of plagiarism . Our articles are resourced from reputable online pages . This clause may curb scientific references . The numbers in the digression ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) are clickable links to match - go over scientific papers .

The feedback linkup “ Was this Article Helpful ” on this page can be used to account content that is not accurate , up - to - date or questionable in any style .

What Is Popcorn Lung?

This clause does not allow medical advice .

What Is Popcorn Lung?

Popcorn Lung which is medically refer to as bronchiolitis obliterans is a rarified upset of the lung that affect the bronchioles . As the disease condition progresses , the inflammation as a final result of Popcorn Lung cause significant scarring of the lung tissue and the airway become minute making it difficult for the touched individual to breathe . The name Popcorn Lung was given to this condition since it was deemed to be make by a chemical called diacetyl which was widely used in flavour popcorn . In fact , the first case of Popcorn Lung was found in a person who used to work in a popcorn factory and was let out to this chemical for prolonged point of time[2 ] .

Popcorn Lung can also be caused as a result of lung and osseous tissue marrow transplantation . Other cases of Popcorn Lung let in side outcome of certain medications , pulmonary infections , and some autoimmune conditions . An person who develop Popcorn Lung without any history of any transplants run to have symptoms that are quite similar toasthmaorCOPD . Due to the oddity of the condition , the diagnosing is often made by carrying out a biopsy of the lung which will clearly show scarring and inflammation . This is specially in citizenry who have not had any transplants[1 ] .

The severity of the condition can be base out by conducting a high resolutionCT scanof the lungs . The discourse for Popcorn Lung is quite thought-provoking and in non - transplant sheath is treated by immunosuppression and steroid medications . However , in cases where a transplant is believe to be the effort of Popcorn Lung then physicians may opt for a re - transplantation even though the success pace of this procedure is quite variable[1 ] .

What Causes Popcorn Lung?

The primary campaign of Popcorn Lung is prolonged exposure to a chemical substance call diacetyl . Some field have hint at certain hereditary broker which also can cause Popcorn Lung but it is not considered to be a hereditary disease . The chemicals used in making candies , popcorn potato crisp , and certain dairy farm product are the most big causes of Popcorn Lung . Additionally , fumes that exhale from factories carry ammonia and chlorine also increase the risk of an case-by-case developing Popcorn Lung[2 ] .

Individuals with continuous exposure to nitrous oxide gas also are at high peril for developing Popcorn Lung . exhaust that give forth from weld when inhaled also can guide to scarring of the lung tissue and narrowing of the airways such as that seen with Popcorn Lung . Aside from the outside factors mentioned that increase the risk of an mortal make Popcorn Lung , there are also sure other broker . These let in viral or bacterial infection of the respiratory system . These infections often at times make inflaming to an extent that there is narrow of the airways and scar of the lung tissues[2 ] .

As state , people who have had off-white heart and soul or lung transplants often at times get Popcorn Lungs . There are also certain autoimmune disorders that increase the risk of infection of Popcorn Lung of which rheumatoid arthritis is the most vernacular . Another most common cause for Popcorn Lung is the use of e - cigarettes . These contain diacetyl which is responsible for scarring the lungs and stimulate Popcorn Lung . This has been reassert by the American Lung Association which state that using the flavor varieties of eastward - cigarettes is the primary causal agent of Popcorn Lung[2 ] .

Diacetyl is widely used in e - butt which is known to cause Popcorn Lung . However , many Zea mays everta company have stopped using this chemical but it is still widely used in vitamin E - cigarettes . A study conducted on e - cigaret in 2015 which test 50 democratic brand of e - cigarette discover out that 40 out of the 50 brands contained diacetyl and put an individual at risk of infection for arise Popcorn Lung . Additionally , the study also mention the consumption of another chemical call acetoin which also plays a cardinal role in the development of Popcorn Lung[2 ] .

However , since vitamin E - cigarettes came under the umbrella of the FDA in the United States only in 2016 , the change to the usage of chemicals in e - fag have still not occurred . However , as more inquiry is done in this arena this is expect to be done sooner rather than subsequently to forbid caseful of Popcorn Lungs[2 ] .

What Are The Symptoms Of Popcorn Lung?

An mortal with Popcorn Lung will have very balmy symptoms and this is the reason why in many case people incline to overlook them resulting in a delay in diagnosing . These symptom are also quite familiar with other lung conditions , which also perhaps is one of the reasons why diagnosis of Popcorn Lung tends to get delayed . In fact , the great unwashed with a known diagnosis of asthma may find it extremely difficult differentiate between the symptoms of Popcorn Lung and that of asthma[2 ] .

The symptom of Popcorn Lung can be observed after about two week after the transmission or picture to a chemical substance that causes Popcorn Lung . The symptoms then keep to decline with time . In cases where transplantation is the cause of Popcorn Lung then the symptoms take over years to develop . The primary symptom of Popcorn Lung includes audible wheezing with no identifiable cause like bronchial asthma or bronchitis . The moved somebody will also have problems with breathing and doing any activity will be a challenge for him or her[2 ] .

People with Popcorn Lung tend to get use up with minimum physical activity for no patent reason . The individual will also have pertinacious ironic coughing . The respiratory charge per unit of multitude with Popcorn Lung also is significantly increase . immediate medical attention is send word in cases where an individual amaze short of breath with any action or if they experience chest painfulness with difficulty breathe along with feel featherbrained . This becomes more apparent if these symptoms are lasting and continue to become worse over time[2 ] .

How Is Popcorn Lung Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Popcorn Lung is normally suspected if an mortal has symptoms of lung disorder such as bronchitis or asthma with no unmistakable clinical diagnosis . Once Popcorn Lung is suspected , a detailed examination will be performed with radiogram of the chest and lungs in the form ofx - ray , CT andMRI scan[2 ] .

to boot to confirm the diagnosis the following tests may also be done .

Bronchoscopy : This test is done to look for any abnormality in the airways which may be causing the symptoms .

Biopsy : A lung biopsy may also be done for a detailed depth psychology and look for any other possible causa for the symptom .

Pulmonary Function Tests : This mental test is essential to check out the position of the lungs and whether there is any abnormality in the breathing design of the patient .

Depending on the results of these trial run , a diagnosing of Popcorn Lung is made[2 ] .

How is Popcorn Lung Treated?

With regard to the intervention of Popcorn Lung , in case where the patient role has not had any transplants that may be causing this term , steroid are the primary mode of discourse to calm down the excitement that occurs as a result of Popcorn Lung . The scarring of the lung tissue however is irreversible and the precondition becomes incurable if it has progressed to the stage that there is meaning constriction of the airway . intervention in such cases are aimed at controlling the symptom and keep further scathe to the lungs[2 ] .

For treatment of Popcorn Lung , it is essential for the symptom to be recognize at an early stage since wait in treatment can have irreparable impairment to the lung and treatment will become that much more difficult . If Popcorn Lung is caused due to exposure to toxin and chemicals then outride forth from that environment is the first thing that the affected role needs to do . In cases where a bacterial cause is identify for Popcorn Lung , then macrolide antibiotic drug are given which have shown secure efficaciousness in some patients[2 ] .

For an autoimmune condition causing Popcorn Lung , handling with medication that suppresses the immune arrangement are dictate to control the inflammation . For job with external respiration that are regard in people with Popcorn Lung , supplementary oxygen is also give to normalize it . In typesetter’s case where the scarring has advanced beyond repair and the symptom are grievous then lung transplant will be need to treat Popcorn Lung[2 ] .

It is the rigourousness of the disease and the rate at which the condition worsens is what that determines the overall prognosis of an someone with Popcorn Lung . The prognosis is the poorest in people who develop this circumstance as a solvent of autoimmune disorders likerheumatoid arthritis . Thus it is full of life to get a diagnosing of Popcorn Lung early and get treated for it to prevent harm to the airways which may make the condition incurable[2 ] .

Studies suggest that Popcorn Lung is a major contributing element in the number of fatality that occur after a bone kernel or a lung transplant . Studies estimate that about 50 % of people who have had lung transplanting and have subsist for lower limit of five years be given to develop the severest shape of Popcorn Lung[2 ] .

In closing , Popcorn Lung is a rare lung disorder in which the smallest airways of the lung get affected . There is also significant scarring of the lung tissues along with firing and narrowing of the skyway which makes ventilation extremely difficult for the patient . The main crusade for Popcorn Lung is inhalation of a chemical call diacetyl which is wide used as a flavour agent in einsteinium - cigarettes . It was also used to flavor Zea mays everta which is where this precondition got its name but this is no longer the case[2 ] .

It can also be get due to bacterial and viral contagion and autoimmune disorders . People who undergo ivory marrow or lung transplants are also at an increase peril for develop Popcorn Lung . Steroids and immune suppressants are the master modes of treatment ; however , if the condition shape up where the scarring is severe and the respiratory tract get importantly constricted then this experimental condition becomes incurable[2 ] .

Popcorn Lung is a consideration that can be prevented somewhat by adhering to sure lifestyle modifications . These let in completely refrain from use of flavored vitamin E - cigarettes or hubble-bubble that contain season agents like diacetyl . It is also important to avoid area where there is a hypothesis of inhaling toxins which can cause scarring of the lungs , especially around chemical factories and plants[2 ] .

People who have undergone transplant need to be extra measured and keep a close heart on the symptoms and get treated right away if they have any trouble with breathing . In cases where exposure to chemical substance and fumes can not be avoided then wearing protective masquerade party is a necessity and should be offer by the employer to prevent the fumes from damaging the lungs and cause conditions like Popcorn Lung[2 ] .

reference :