Definition

Noun: * An occupational lung disease: A type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which is an inflammation of the alveoli (tiny air sacs) in the lungs. It is caused by an allergic reaction to inhaled dust containing mold spores or other organic antigens, commonly from moldy hay, straw, or grain.

Usage

• The term is used specifically in medical and agricultural contexts to describe this allergic condition.
• It is a compound noun and is typically used with the definite or indefinite article, or in a possessive form when describing a person's condition.

Examples

• Noun:
  • After years of working in the barn without a mask, he was diagnosed with farmer's lung.
  • Preventing farmer's lung involves wearing respiratory protection when handling moldy crops.
  • The symptoms of farmer's lung can include cough, fever, and shortness of breath.

Advanced Usage

• The condition is a classic example of an occupational disease.
• It is sometimes referred to more generally as extrinsic allergic alveolitis when specifying the causative agent (e.g., from birds, humidifiers) other than moldy agricultural dust.

Variants and Related Words

• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis: The broader medical term for inflammatory lung conditions caused by allergic reactions to inhaled organic dusts or chemicals.
• Alveolitis: Inflammation of the alveoli, which is the central pathological process in farmer's lung.
• Occupational asthma: A different type of work-related lung condition involving airway constriction rather than alveolar inflammation.

Synonyms

• Extrinsic allergic alveolitis (specific to this cause)
• Allergic interstitial pneumonitis (a more general clinical term)

Related Phrases

• To develop/contract farmer's lung: To acquire the disease.
  • Workers can develop farmer's lung after repeated exposure.
• A case of farmer's lung: An instance of the disease.
  • The hospital treated a severe case of farmer's lung.

Noun

1. alveolitis caused by an allergic reaction to fungal spores in the dust that is inhaled from moldy hay