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Bronchiolitis obliterans
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Overview
Bronchiolitis obliterans is an inflammatory obstruction of the lung's tiniest airways, the bronchioles. The bronchioles may become damaged and inflamed after inhalation of toxic fumes, as a result of respiratory infections, in association with connective tissue disorders, or after bone marrow or heart-lung transplants. This leads to extensive scarring that blocks the airways, leading to a dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue and wheezing in the absence of a cold or asthma. While there is no way to reverse the disease, treatments are available to stabilize or slow the progression.[1]
Another similarly named disease, bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, is a completely different disease.[1]
References
- Bronchiolitis Obliterans. National Jewish Health Web site. http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/bronchiolitis/. Accessed October 1, 2012.
Your Questions Answered
by the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center1 question(s) from the public on Bronchiolitis obliterans have been answered. See questions and answers. You can also submit a new question.
On this page
General Information
- The National Jewish Health Web site provides information about bronchiolitis obliterans. Click on the link to view this information.
- PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Bronchiolitis obliterans. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
Insurance Issues
- The Social Security Administration has included this condition in their Compassionate Allowances Initiative. This initiative speeds up the processing of disability claims for applicants with certain medical conditions that cause severe disability. More information about Compassionate Allowances and applying for Social Security disability is available online.