Asbestosis: Frequently Asked Questions
What is asbestosis?
Asbestosis is scar tissue accumulation in lungs which is caused by particles of asbestos. As times goes on, this scar tissue continue to accumulate and lungs or heart failure is usually not far from occuring.
Source: www.mesothelioma-portal.info
Asbestosis is a disease resulting from a slow buildup of permanent scar tissue in the lungs and in the pleural membrane that surrounds the lungs, which is caused by breathing high levels of asbestos fibers. People with asbestosis have shortness of breath, often along with a cough and sometimes heart enlargement. In addition, asbestosis increases the risk of dangerous lung infections. Asbestosis is a serious disease and can eventually lead to disability or death.
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Asbestosis is not cancer but is a serious disease. It takes ten years or more after asbestos exposure to develop. It causes scarring of the lungs and may lead to disability or even death. When asbestos fibers remain deep in the lungs, scar tissue forms, and may grow over years. The scar tissue can be seen on a chest x-ray. It stops oxygen moving into the bloodstream, so the person with asbestosis feels out of breath. Your doctor will also hear crackles in your chest. These are signs of scar tissue in the lungs. ...
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asbestosis is an asbestos-related lung disease that causes scarring of the lung tissue.
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What are the signs/symptoms of asbestosis?
The presence of asbestosis is characterized by dyspnea (shortness of breath), persistent dry cough, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, loss of appetite, and clubbing of the fingers (in severe cases).
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Symptoms of asbestosis are similar to those of mesothelioma, a lung cancer associated with asbestos. In fact, mesothelioma is a complication that can arise in patients with asbestosis. These common symptoms include: Shortness of breath after exertion – getting progressively worse as time passes, Shortness of breath at rest and during sleep, Chest pain and tightness causes by the scar tissue from the asbestos. ...
Source: www.mesotheliomahealth.org
What are the symptoms of Asbestosis?
The early symptoms of Asbestosis typically include shortness of breath, coughing, a dry crackling sound while inhaling and chest pain.Asbestosis is a slowly progressing disease that will show no symptoms for 10 to 30 years.
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What are some causes of Asbestosis?
Asbestosis is nearly always related to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is an extremely dangerous material and even low exposure levels can trigger Asbestosis or Mesothelioma. This means that even family members of asbestos workers are at risk because of the asbestos fibers brought into the home by the worker's clothing.
Source: www.1-800-injured.com
How can Asbestosis be detected?
Asbestosis can be conclusively detected by taking samples of lung tissue (called a biopsy). Asbestos can be detected through x-rays, CT scans or a breathing test.
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How is asbestosis diagnosed?
Imaging devices, such as x-rays , CT scans , and MRIs are used to diagnose asbestosis. Doctors also use pulmonary function tests to measure your airflow and determine whether airways are restricted.
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The most common way to diagnose asbestos disease is by way of chest x-ray. Scarring of the lungs can also be diagnosed by pulmonary function tests. These tests can measure the impact of the scarring on your ability to breathe.
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What causes asbestosis?
Asbestosis is caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. As it can take one to two decades before symptoms show up, chances are the exposure to asbestos happened a long time ago and before asbestos use was banned. It had been commonly used in the building industry and could be found in such materials as vinyl siding, vinyl tiles, roofing tiles, plumbing pipes, insulation and textured paints.
Source: www.mesotheliomahealth.org
What is the prognosis for a patient with asbestosis?
Prognosis depends on the duration of exposure to asbestos fibres, size and type of the asbestos fibres inhaled and the presence of aggravating factors such as smoking.
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Where might I get asbestosis?
If you worked with asbestos on a regular basis or were exposed to someone who did, you may develop the disease. Those living near asbestos or vermiculite mines or near factories that manufactured asbestos products have also been known to develop the disease.
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How is asbestosis different from mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer and must be treated as such. Asbestosis is a scarring of the lungs but no tumors are present. People can live with asbestosis for decades without developing mesothelioma. Meso patients rarely survive beyond 2 years after diagnosis.
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What treatments, if any, are available for asbestosis?
Like mesothelioma , treatments for asbestosis treat the symptoms of the disease but do not offer a cure. Treatments might include drugs like steroids or bronchodilators to aid in breathing, procedures to drain fluid from the lungs, or medications for pain.
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How many people are affected by asbestosis?
In America, about 600 people die of asbestosis per year. Thousands more are affected. It's difficult to determine an exact number as cases are sometimes misdiagnosed.
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What is the relation between asbestosis and mesothelioma?
Not everyone who has asbestosis will develop mesothelioma. However, anyone with asbestosis should be monitored closely for symptoms of mesothelioma. If you smoke and have asbestosis, you should cease smoking immediately as it will greatly increase your chances of developing mesothelioma.
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What types of jobs are associated with Asbestosis?
If you or a family member has worked at the following jobs or with the following materials before the 1980's, then you are at risk. Most victims were involved with asbestos product plants, insulation, and shipbuilding. Below is a list of industrial sites, occupations, and products related to asbestos exposure. In addition to these groups, family members are also be at risk and should be tested. ...
Source: www.1-800-injured.com
Are there other diseases related to Asbestosis?
Several serious conditions are indirectly caused by Asbestosis, such as Mesothelioma, heart disease and lung cancer. Someone diagnosed with Asbestosis must be vigilant for the other diseases that are associated with it. Asbestosis patients should immediately stop smoking and people with asbestos in their lungs should never smoke.
Source: www.1-800-injured.com
Are asbestosis and mesothelioma the same disease?
Although both are caused by inhaling asbestos dust, asbestosis is not a cancer. It is a condition caused by damage to the lungs from asbestos fibers.
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How effective are asbestosis treatments?
Treatments can greatly relieve symptoms of asbestosis but do not cure the disease.
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How should this problem of asbestosis be tackled?
Control of asbestos in the workplace is the most effective method for preventing asbestosis. Substituition of the asbestos fibres with less harmful varieties is another option. Legislations which is followed strictly should be implemented for curbing the use of asbestos.
Source: www.medindia.net
Why is asbestosis considered a dangerous disease?
Because of its association with mesthelioma (cancer) of the pleura, cancers of the lung, larynx etc. it is considered a dangerous disease.
Source: www.medindia.net
What is the relation between mesothelioma and asbestosis?
Often, asbestosis is the first step towards the development of mesothelioma. Some people are fortunate in that their asbestosis never develops into cancer. Others are not so lucky. No one knows why some individuals develop this cancer and others don't. However, smokers who continue smoking after they've been diagnosed with asbestosis have a much higher chance of developing mesothelioma.
Source: www.meso.antilogix.com
What steps can I take to prevent asbestosis?
If you currently work with asbestos, it is important to remove yourself from that situation. If damaged asbestos can be found in your home, have it removed by a licensed asbestos abatement company.
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What types of people/professions are most at risk for asbestosis?
Those most at risk include shipbuilders , pipefitters, welders, plumbers, electricians, insulators, auto mechanics, railroad workers, power plant workers, contractors, refinery workers, miners, and those who worked in factories that produced asbestos-containing products.
Source: www.maacenter.org
What medications are available for asbestosis patients?
Respiratory therapy drugs, such as bronchodilators, are most often recommended for asbestosis patients, who usually suffer from shortness of breath. Over-the-counter pain medications can help alleviate the chest pain associated with the disease. Antibiotics are commonly prescribed if an infection is detected, as a cold or similar illness can be very detrimental to an asbestosis patient.
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Is there any research going into treating asbestosis?
Doctors and research scientists are consistently research ways to combat both asbestosis and mesothelioma, including new drugs and procedures for treatment.
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