An irreversible condition of the lower airways – the lungs tiniest airways (bronchioles) making them irritated and inflamed causing the lungs to become scarred and produce mucus affecting the flow of oxygen to the lungs and to the rest of the body.
The bronchioles are tiny tubes in the lungs that carry air. When air cannot pass through the bronchioles to the alveoli (air sacs), the body’s oxygen absorption becomes impaired.
Bronchioles can become damaged as a result of an infection, toxins, or inflammation.
As they heal, the bronchioles may become permanently scarred.
The thick scar tissue essentially “obliterates” the airway, blocking the bronchioles and preventing air from passing through.
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It normally affects adults
It normally occurs when one has been exposed to a toxin or has had a recent lung transplant and/bone marrow transplant
A virus (mainly during the winter months) that affects the bronchioles and this normally occurs in babies and children under that age of two years old.
If breathing pauses are greater than 10 seconds or if symptoms become more severe
Bluish appearance of the skin (from lack of oxygen)
Sudden onset of cough or wheeze in the absence of an upper respiratory infection may have a retained foreign body.
This cough can be mistaken for bronchiolitis, asthma, croup, and other infectious conditions, especially because a partial obstruction can make diagnosis confusing or challenging. Adding to the challenge is that most foreign bodies will be radiolucent.
A decubitus chest x-ray could be useful, but bronchoscopy is necessary for diagnosis.
If a child is premature, or have a lung disorder:
Please see your medical doctor as soon as possible
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Bronchiolitis (Bronchiolitis Obliterans) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
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