Introduction:
Popcorn lung has another name called bronchiolitis obliterans. This name was coined because this condition was first observed among workers in the popcorn industry. This condition was thought to be caused by inhaling a chemical called diacetyl.
What Is Popcorn Lung?
Popcorn lung is a condition in which the bronchioles of the lungs get affected. These bronchioles are the smallest airways present in the lungs. The bronchioles get inflamed, damaged, and scarred in this condition. This may be due to inhalation of harmful chemicals or infections. Other names for this condition are obliterative bronchioles and constrictive bronchiolitis.
Popcorn lung was used because researchers first found this condition among workers in popcorn factories. These workers had inhaled a chemical called diacetyl, used as a flavoring agent to make popcorn taste buttery. This condition was found to be seen among individuals using e-cigarettes and coffee-roasting plant workers. E-cigarettes contain diacetyl in the liquid, and vapes also contain this chemical.
The diacetyl may be found in
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Popcorn.
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Flavored coffee.
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Fruit drinks.
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Caramel.
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Dairy products.
Other chemicals that may cause popcorn lung include
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Acetaldehyde.
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Ammonia.
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Chlorine.
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Diacetyl.
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Formaldehyde.
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Fumes from metal oxides.
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Hydrochloric acid.
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Mustard gas or sulfur mustard.
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Nitrogen oxides.
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Sulfur dioxide.
Another common cause of popcorn lung is acetaldehyde. This chemical is seen in the smoke of marijuana and some electronic cigarettes. This chemical is responsible for causing damage to the lining of the mouth, throat, and stomach. 2,3 pentanedione is similar to diacetyl, which is used in the food industry as a flavoring agent. According to a study, this chemical also causes similar respiratory impairments as diacetyl. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration tests for flavoring agents to know whether they are safe to consume. It is very challenging to identify flavoring agents that are related to causing lung disease. Thousands of flavoring chemicals are found to cause respiratory hazards. Conditions that are related to popcorn lung include
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Infections like respiratory syncytial virus, pneumonia, and bronchitis.
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Rheumatoid arthritis.
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Organ transplant recipients.
This condition can affect anyone. This condition can be seen in individuals who have undergone lung transplants. According to the research done in 2016, it was reported that 75 % of e-cigarettes and refill cigarettes tested positive for the chemical diacetyl. This chemical is the same one that was responsible for causing popcorn lung. According to another study, it was found that even flavorless e-cigarettes were associated with an increased risk of respiratory diseases. This is because e-cigarettes contain another chemical called formaldehyde. This chemical is found to cause popcorn lung.
What Is the Pathophysiology of Popcorn Lung?
The small airways in the lung are called bronchioles. These bronchioles get injured from exposure to harmful chemicals or because of infections. Often, the injured bronchioles heal normally, but sometimes they may form scar tissue due to the repair process of cells. This scar blocks the bronchioles. This prevents the air from passing through the alveoli or air sacs. This causes impairment of the absorption of oxygen by the body. The narrowing of the bronchiole may increase with time. This may lead to respiratory failure.
What Are the Symptoms of Popcorn Lung?
The symptoms may not be seen by all individuals affected by this condition. Some of the symptoms include
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Presence of cough. Sometimes, it may be associated with mucus.
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Shortness of breath (dyspnea). This can be seen during or after exercises.
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Presence of wheezing and tiredness. This can be seen in the absence of cold or asthma.
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Presence of skin rashes, fever, and night sweats.
When the condition progresses, the symptoms get worse. It may take two to eight weeks for symptoms to appear after the illness or exposure to chemicals. In the case of a lung transplant, the symptoms may appear after many months or years.
How to Diagnose Popcorn Lung?
The symptoms of popcorn lung are similar to those of other lung diseases. The diagnosis of popcorn lung includes
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Detailed medical history that may include information about environmental exposure.
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A physical examination is also done.
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Chest X-ray or computed tomography of the chest.
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Lung function tests are performed to determine the amount of air breathed in and out.
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Lung biopsy. This method is found to be more accurate in diagnosing popcorn lung. This procedure may be done under general anesthesia.
What Is the Treatment for Popcorn Lung?
Popcorn lung is a chronic and irreversible condition. Treating this condition can reduce the severity of its symptoms and its progression. It is important to diagnose the disease early so that treatment can prevent it from worsening. If the cause of this condition is exposure to chemicals, these chemicals should be avoided. Depending on the symptoms, a healthcare provider may give cough suppressants and bronchodilators to open the bronchioles to increase the oxygen supply. Other treatment approaches include:
Corticosteroids: These help reduce inflammation by suppressing the immune system.
Inhalers: These help in dilating bronchial tubes. This, in turn, helps in wheezing and shortness of breath.
Oxygen Therapy: Oxygen is given to increase low oxygen levels in the blood.
Lung Transplant: This option is recommended for severe, life-threatening cases and for those who do not respond to other medications.
How to Prevent Popcorn Lung?
Lungs should be taken care of to avoid popcorn lung. This can be done by
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Avoiding smoking, using tobacco, avoiding pollution, and e-cigarettes.
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Avoid getting infected with certain bacteria that cause lung infections.
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The vaccine protocol should be followed as suggested by the doctor.
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Personal protective equipment should be used if individuals work in an environment that contains harmful chemicals.
What Is the Prognosis of Popcorn Lung?
There is no cure for this condition. Hence, lifelong treatment is necessary. This may help reduce symptoms.
Conclusion:
Popcorn lung is a chronic, irreversible condition that requires lifelong management. It affects the small airways of the lungs. Hence, the oxygen supply to the body is minimized. This condition is considered serious. Hence, knowing about this condition, its causes, symptoms, management, and preventive measures to avoid the disease becomes important.
