Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a type of chronic inflammatory respiratory disease caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers. Once inhaled, asbestos fibers can become trapped inside the lungs, causing the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) and the development of this non-malignant asbestos disease. Scarred lung tissue does not expand and contract as it should and thus the lungs cannot perform gas exchange, oxygenating blood while removing carbon dioxide at a normal rate. The severity of the disease depends upon the duration of exposure to asbestos and the amount inhaled.

Asbestos was commonly used in construction before 1975. Asbestos exposure occurs in asbestos mining and milling industries, construction, fireproofing, and other industries. In families of asbestos workers, exposure can also occur from particles brought home on a worker's clothing. This is type of secondary exposure is commonly referred to as paraoccupational asbestos exposure. In the early 1930s asbestos was used in a special form of concrete that was used in building construction, particularly on roofs. With the discover that asbestos can cause mesothelioma, its use has been discontinued. Many industry professionals, including top Los Angeles concrete contractors warn homeowners with homes built during this time to take extra caution when doing any remodeling. In fact, many of these contractors wear special masks when doing any work, including when helping Orange County driveway pavers, patio pavers or stamped concrete customers.

More than nine million workers are at risk of developing asbestosis. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing the disease.

Asbestosis Symptoms

There are a variety of symptoms that are associated with the development of asbestosis. Some asbestosis symptoms are similar to those associated with a number of related diseases, such as pleural mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer, pleural plaques and pneumonia. The most prevalent symptoms of asbestosis include:

Less-common asbestosis symptoms may include the following:

Asbestosis Signs and Tests

When listening to the chest with a stethoscope, a doctor may hear a crackling sound. A thorough doctor will follow-up, performing the following tests that may lead to a definitive diagnosis of asbestosis:

Asbestosis Treatment

Asbestosis treatments are of a palliative nature because there is currently no cure for the inflammatory lung disease. Prevention of further asbestos exposure is essential. Supportive treatment of symptoms includes respiratory therapies to remove secretions from the lungs by postural drainage, chest percussion and vibration.

Aerosol medications designed to thin lung secretions may be prescribed to aid with postural drainage. Because asbestosis can cause a significant decrease in total lung capacity (TLC), oxygen therapy is often prescribed as a palliative treatment.

Asbestosis Support Groups

The stresses of the illness may be eased by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems.

Asbestosis Expectations - Prognosis

A patient's prognosis depends upon duration and the extent of asbestos exposure. Put simply, those with less exposure have a much better chance of a longer life and less health complications than those with more exposure. Other factors such as age and lifestyle may also affect a patient's prognosis.

Complications of Asbestosis

Calling your health care provider

A health care provider should be contacted if exposure to asbestos is suspected or if unexplained symptoms occur.

Preventing Asbestosis

Early screening by chest x ray of people who are exposed to asbestos may help prevent asbestosis or the three types of malignant mesothelioma cancer.

Asbestosis and Malignant Mesothelioma

Asbestosis sufferers are at increased risk of developing a more serious type of asbestos disease such as asbestos lung cancer, asbestos larynx cancer or malignant mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of the asbestos diseases because it is both incurable and fatal.

There are three types of malignant mesothelioma cancer. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung (pleura), peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining surrounding the heart (pericardium). Sub-types, defined by their cell types, are epithelioid mesothelioma (the most common, and considered the most amenable to treatment), sarcomatoid mesothelioma or sarcomatous (a much more aggressive form), and biphasic or mixed mesothelioma (a combination of both of the other cell types).

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