<unk>  <unk>  is an inflammatory lung disease of unknown cause. It is a severe, progressive form of bronchiolitis, an inflammatory condition of the bronchioles (small air passages in the lungs). The term<unk>  signifies that lesions appear throughout both lungs, while<unk>  refers to inflammation found in all layers of the respiratory bronchioles (those involved in gas exchange).<unk>  causes severe inflammation and nodule-like lesions of terminal bronchioles, chronic sinusitis, and intense coughing with large amounts of sputum production. The disease is believed to occur when there is susceptibility, or a lack of immune system resistance, to<unk> -causing bacteria or viruses, caused by several genes that are found predominantly in individuals of East Asian descent. The highest incidence occurs among Japanese people, followed by Koreans.<unk>  occurs more often in males and usually begins around age 40. It was recognized as a distinct new disease in the early 1960s and was formally named<unk>  in 1969. If left untreated,<unk>  progresses to bronchiectasis, an irreversible lung condition that involves enlargement of the bronchioles, and pooling of mucus in the bronchiolar passages. Daily treatment of<unk>  with macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin eases symptoms and increases survival time, but the disease currently has no known cure. The eventual result of<unk>  can be respiratory failure and heart problems.
Diffuse panbronchiolitis
Emphysema
Acute eosinophilic pneumonia
Plastic bronchitis
Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia
Eosinophilic bronchitis
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Mineral dust airway disease