Popcorn lung - everything you need to know about the serious lung disease
Popcorn lung is a nickname for bronchiolitis obliterans, a condition that damages the smallest airways in your lungs, causing coughing and shortness of breath.
It can be caused by inhaling a distinct buttery-smelling chemical used to flavour, among other things, microwave popcorn. Your lungs are where your blood collects oxygen to distribute to the rest of your body. When you breathe in, air travels into your lungs through your windpipe, which splits into two tubes leading to your left and right lungs.
Inside your lungs, these tubes branch out further, like tree branches. The smallest branches, called bronchioles, end in tiny air sacs known as alveoli, where oxygen is picked up by your blood. When you have popcorn lung, these tiny air passages become inflamed leading to scarring that narrows them. This makes it more difficult for you to get enough air, says Web MD.
What causes popcorn lung?
The chemical linked to this condition is a flavouring called diacetyl, which is a yellow liquid with an intensely buttery flavour and aroma. Some companies stopped using it after a high incidence of bronchiolitis obliterans was found in workers who packaged microwave popcorn at a US factory. While it's still used in some electronic cigarette flavours in America, it is banned as an ingredient in UK-regulated nicotine vapes and e-liquids, says the NHS. Cancer Research UK also says there ‘have been no confirmed cases of popcorn lung linked to e-cigarettes.’
Another common cause of popcorn lung is the chemical acetaldehyde, which is found in the smoke of some electronic cigarettes and in the smoke from marijuana. Acetaldehyde can damage the lining of your mouth, throat, and stomach. Other chemicals that can cause popcorn lung include inhaling;
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- Metal oxide fumes, a common byproduct of welding
- Formaldehyde, a cancer-causing chemical used in some glues and building materials
- Sulfur dioxide, a pollutant released by burning fossil fuels
- Ammonia
- Chlorine
- Nitrogen oxides
- Hydrochloric acid
- Sulfur mustard, a chemical weapon more commonly known as 'mustard gas'
Occasionally, bronchiolitis obliterans can happen after experiencing a serious illness that affects your lungs, for example some forms of bronchitis or pneumonia. And some people who have rheumatoid arthritis can get popcorn lung as a side effect. It is also possible for someone who has had a stem cell transplant or lung transplant to get the condition if your body tries to reject the new organ. In fact, it's the primary cause of death in people who get lung transplants.
Symptoms
The main two red flags are shortness of breath and a dry cough. These tend to make themselves known between a fortnight and two months after you've had an illness or been around a toxic gas. You're especially likely to have them when you're exercising or carrying out manual labour. The condition may take several months to show if you've had a lung transplant. Feeling tired for no apparent reason or wheezing when you don't have a cold or asthma can also be a symptom.
Diagnosis
If you are showing symptoms of bronchiolitis obliterans, your doctor may ask for a CT scan of your chest. The computerised tomography uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body. You will also undertake several tests to see how well your lungs are working. A chest X-ray can show if your lungs are holding in too much air, but the best way to confirm you have bronchiolitis obliterans is to have a biopsy, which involves taking a small sample of body tissue so it can be examined under a microscope.
Treatment
While the name popcorn lung may not sound like a threat, it's a serious lung disease that can cause lasting damage, so it's vital to catch it early. If you do, you might be able to slow it down or keep it from getting worse: If the condition was caused by breathing in harmful chemicals, you will need to keep away from them. It could be necessary to wear protective gear at work or even change jobs if it is affecting your health. You may be prescribed a course of steroids or antibiotics to ease the inflammation that can scar your airways. Medication that slow down your immune system might help protect your bronchioles from further harm.
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