Acute eosinophilic pneumonia
Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia
Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is a rare but significant lung disease that affects the respiratory system. Pronounced as a-kyoot ee-oh-sin-oh-fil-ik nuh-moh-nee-uh, the term originates from the Greek words "akutus" meaning sharp or severe, "eosinophils" which are a type of white blood cell, and "pneumonia" meaning lung inflammation.
Definition
Acute eosinophilic pneumonia is a disease characterized by the rapid accumulation of eosinophils in the lungs. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in the body's immune response. In AEP, these cells cause inflammation and damage to the lung tissue, leading to respiratory symptoms.
Symptoms
The symptoms of acute eosinophilic pneumonia can vary, but often include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and general malaise. In severe cases, it can lead to respiratory failure.
Causes
The exact cause of AEP is unknown, but it is often associated with exposure to certain drugs or toxins, including tobacco smoke. It can also occur as a reaction to some medications.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of AEP typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. A chest X-ray or CT scan may be used to visualize the lungs, and a bronchoscopy may be performed to obtain a sample of lung tissue for examination.
Treatment
Treatment for acute eosinophilic pneumonia typically involves the use of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. In severe cases, hospitalization and oxygen therapy may be required.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Acute eosinophilic pneumonia
- Wikipedia's article - Acute eosinophilic pneumonia
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski