Pulmonary Aspergilloma and Receiving Social Security Disability
Aspergillosis is much more than just one condition. Aspergillosis is a group of conditions that are brought about by mold. The mold that results in these conditions is known as aspergillus. Aspergillus is made up of over 150 types of molds that are widespread throughout the outdoor and indoor environment. Aspergillus molds are usually found growing on things like dead leaves, other vegetation that is decaying, bird droppings, compost piles or stored grain. Many of these kinds of mold will not result in any problems, but a few of them can cause serious conditions in people who have a weakened immune system, asthma or an underlying lung disease. Aspergillosis is a growth, an infection or allergic response that takes place from the aspergillus mold. Fortunately, infections are rare.There are different kinds of aspergillosis.
Aspergilloma is one of the types of aspergillosis that is an infection. Aspergilloma is a fungus ball (growth) that develops in an area where there has been previous lung disease or lung scarring, such as lung abscess or tuberculosis. Most of the time, aspergilloma is a mass that grows in your lung cavities. However, an aspergilloma can also develop in some of your other body cavities. An aspergilloma may occur inside of the different sinuses in your face. It can form an abscess in your brain. An aspergilloma may also form inside of your ear canal, your kidneys and urinary system or on your heart valves. When aspergilloma does form in the primary location of your lung cavity, it is referred to as pulmonary aspergilloma. Pulmonary aspergilloma is characterized by the fungus aspergillus growing in a clump in your lung cavity or invading healthy tissue, which results in an abscess. The aspergillus mold is usually inhaled as small spores. In the case of pulmonary aspergilloma, the fungus settles into one of your lung cavities and starts to grow. The reason why the fungus is able to grow free from interference is due to the fact that your immune system is not able to penetrate into your lung cavity.There are some diseases and disorders that may predispose you to having pulmonary aspergilloma.
Some of these may include:- ? Cystic fibrosis, which causes mucus to build up heavily in your lungs
- ? Abscesses that are already in existence inside of your lungs
- ? Tuberculosis
- ? Lung cancer
- ? Sarcoidosis, which is an inflammatory lung disease
- ? Histoplasmosis, which is an infection that usually affects your lungs
- ? Coccidioidomycosis, which is a fungal infection that affects your lungs most of the time.
- ? Unintentional loss of weight
- ? Shortness of breath
- ? Chest pain that may be anywhere from mild to severe
- ? Malaise (a general feeling of not feeling well)
- ? Lymph nodes that are enlarged or draining
- ? Fever
- ? Wheezing
- ? A cough
- ? A cough that may produce blood.