DESCRIPTION
* Alveoli are the tiny air sacs in the lung where oxygen is brought into the blood and carbon dioxide is released. Many diseases (fortunately all rare) may cause bleeding in the alveoli.
SYMPTOMS
* Cough with blood
* Shortness of breath
* Goodpasture's syndrome usually affects the lungs and kidneys.
* Wegener's Granulomatosis also can affect the sinuses and kidneys.
CAUSE
* Goodpasture's syndrome
* Wegener's Granulomatosis
* Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
* Systemic necrotizing vasculitis
* Rapidly progressing Glomerulonephritis
* Mitral Stenosis (a heart valve problem)
* Coagulopathy (blood is too thin)
* Pulmonary infections (severe)
* Toxins
* Drugs (penicillamine)
* Hemosiderosis
HOW THE DIAGNOSIS IS MADE
* General
1. X-Ray shows diffuse lung infiltrates.
2. Blood gas shows low oxygen level.
3. Anemia due to blood loss may be present.
* Wegener's Granulomatosis
- C-ANCA blood level is elevated
* Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Elevated ANA, double stranded-DNA
* Goodpasture's syndrome
- Kidney biopsy shows IgG deposits
TREATMENT
* Treat the appropriate disorder listed above
* Corticosteroids
* Cyclophosphamide for Wegener's Granulomatosis
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