Asbestosis
Asbestosis
Simply put, asbestosis is a breathing disorder caused by inhaling
high levels of asbestos. The accumulation of these fibers in the lungs
causes scarring of lung tissue and makes it difficult to breathe.
It often takes years of exposure for asbestosis to surface but it can
quickly worsen, especially if exposure continues.
Who Gets Asbestosis?
Asbestosis is almost always job-related and many of the victims are older
individuals who were exposed to asbestos at work before the United States began
to regulate its use in the mid-1970s. This naturally-mined material was
used extensively in the construction and manufacturing businesses, especially as
pipe insulation, in fire-retardant materials, as floor and ceiling tiles, and in
brake and clutch linings.
Those at the highest risk for developing the disorder probably worked with
asbestos or asbestos-containing products on a daily basis for at least 8 to 10
years. Miners may develop the disorder in less time.
Symptoms
When damage and scarring caused by inhaled asbestos fibers lead to
stiffness in your lung tissue so that your lungs can't contract and expand
normally, you will start experience symptoms of the disorder, which may
include:
Shortness of breath
Decreased tolerance for physical activity
Coughing
Chest pain
Finger clubbing, in some cases
Diagnosis
When considering a diagnosis of asbestosis, your doctor will probably
inquire as to your exposure to asbestos. He/she may also ask whether any
fellow employees have been affected by the disease. Your doctor may then
order tests to confirm the diagnosis, including pulmonary function tests, CT
scans, and chest x-rays.
Treatment
The affects of asbestosis cannot be reversed but progression can be halted
and symptoms treated. Above all us, further exposure to the toxic material
should be eliminated. If you smoke, it’s necessary to stop
immediately. Doctors may also treat you with medications that expand or
relax blood vessels, and/or blood-thinners that prevent blood clots from forming
and obstructing narrowed vessels.