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No Cure For Asbestosis There is no cure for asbestosis, however treatment options can help control symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Smoking cigarettes significantly increases the risk of developing this condition. Construction workers, shipyard employees and military veterans who have worked with asbestos-containing building materials make up the people most likely to develop the deadly lung disease. The first sign is an ongoing cough and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, it can lead to the development of pulmonary hypertension, or even the finger clubbing. Signs and symptoms When workers work with asbestos-containing materials tiny fibers may be released into the air and inhaled. Eventually, these fibres are irritating to the lung tissue and cause it to stiffen, which makes breathing difficult. This condition is known as asbestosis or pulmonary fibroids and it is among more than 200 kinds of interstitial lung disease. People who have been exposed to asbestos over a long time are at a higher risk of developing this lung disease. The symptoms can appear decades after exposure and vary in severity from mild up to severe. The most frequent symptoms include an ongoing cough and chest pain, as well as shortness of breath. In some cases the lungs can develop a buildup of fluid within the pleural cavity, which could cause a whistling sound known as inspiratory crackles whenever a person breaths. Asbestosis sufferers are at an increased chance of developing mesothelioma. The cancer affects the lining in the chest cavity and abdomen. It is sometimes difficult to differentiate the symptoms of these two diseases, which typically have similar symptoms, such as scarring and thickening of the lungs, cough, shortness of breath and a lump in the chest. Consult your physician if you have breathing issues. This will help prevent the condition from getting worse and could enable your doctor to determine the cause. Your doctor will examine your medical background, work history, and lung function tests to make a diagnosis. X-rays and CT scans are used to determine the extent of lung damage. If the X-rays show that there is a tumor or nodule in your lung the doctor will most likely require an examination. This involves inserting a needle into the lungs to remove the tissue sample. It can be a painful process but it is essential to determine whether lung lesions are caused by other illnesses, such as mesothelioma or other lung cancers. Patients with asbestosis should also be given the pneumococcus or pneumonia vaccines. This will help to prevent lung infections in weak lungs. Huntsville asbestos lawsuit Inhaling asbestos may cause scarring, also known as asbestosis. It usually takes 20 to 30 years after exposure before symptoms start to show but it can take even longer. The substance is made up of microscopic fibers that get into your lung when you breathe. These fibres stick to lung and then stiffen them. Eventually, your lungs become inefficient and it becomes difficult to breath. Before it was banned asbestos was used extensively in the manufacturing and construction industries. A doctor can determine the severity of your condition by looking over the medical history you've provided and conducting an examination. During the exam your doctor will examine your lungs while you breathe by using a instrument called a stethoscope. If they hear sounds of crackling they'll suspect you may have asbestosis. Doctors can also examine the lungs using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans. These scans will reveal any signs of lung damage like scarring and can help narrow down the diagnosis. They may ask about your work history to determine if you were exposed asbestos. If your doctor suspects that asbestosis is present, they will order chest radiographs and tests for pulmonary functions to assess your breathing. These tests can aid in determining other conditions which can cause breathing problems like emphysema, or Idiopathic lung fibrosis. X-rays and PFTs will also detect abnormalities in the structure of your lung. The lungs consist of main airways referred to as bronchi. The bronchi branch out into smaller passageways, and finally tiny sacs known as alveoli. The lungs are an essential organ for oxygen intake and can only perform this function properly when they are free of scar tissue. If you are diagnosed as having asbestosis, the doctor will suggest treatments to alleviate your symptoms and improve quality of life. This may include supplemental oxygen therapy. It is delivered through thin tubes with prongs that fit inside your nostrils, or via a mask. Your healthcare provider may also suggest an pulmonary rehabilitation program that will instruct you on exercises and methods for changing your routines to aid in breathing easier. In advanced cases, doctors can take a small amount of lung tissue to check for asbestos. However, a biopsy requires an incision and is generally not recommended. Treatment Inhaling asbestos fibres leads to scarring of the lungs (fibrosis), which restricts movement and makes breathing difficult. It typically takes years of regular exposure to the mineral in factories and buildings before symptoms appear, which is why it's crucial that people who worked in industries that used the material – such as electricians, shipbuilders, boilermakers and carpenters – talk with their doctor about any problems with breathing. The majority of people diagnosed with asbestosis are former employees in the building and manufacturing industries. The first signs of asbestosis are usually a persistent, dry cough, shortness of breath and chest discomfort. Severe cases can lead to clubbing, an illness in which fingers get wider and larger. This can lead to heart or lung complications. The first step to treating asbestosis is visiting an expert doctor who will listen to your lung with an stethoscope. They will also ask you to provide your work history. If there are symptoms and signs, they'll refer you to a specialist in lung diseases for additional tests. It's also important that you inform your doctor if you suffer from any other ailments or if you've been exposed to asbestos. This is because the condition can be misdiagnosed and mistaken for other lung conditions like emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. A biopsy is an examination that allows specialists to confirm whether you have asbestosis. They use a tiny needle to remove fluid or tissue from your lungs, and then examine it under a magnifying glass to look for signs of fibrosis. They may also look for other diseases that could be present, such as mesothelioma, or other cancers that could cause similar symptoms to asbestosis, like pleural plaques. If you've been diagnosed of asbestosis, doctors can treat the underlying fibrosis that causes breathing problems and improve the quality of life. They might recommend an oxygen therapy or humidifier or even medication to ease your breathing and lessen the cough. They may also suggest to stop smoking, because smoking causes the condition to get worse. In the most severe cases, some patients may need a lung transplant to improve their breathing and prolong their lives. Prognosis Asbestosis can be fatal once it has developed. However treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. It is important to follow your health care provider's advice on managing the condition. Smoking can also make the condition worse. Asbestosis can occur when the lungs become stiff and scarred from exposure to asbestos fibres. Blue (or crocidolite) brown, white and blue asbestos are more harmful than each other. When asbestos is mined, it is a thin fibrous material that is separated into fibres. The fibres are released into the air when the material is broken, cut or drilled. When workers inhale the fibres, they could get trapped in their lungs, leading to lung scarring and stiffening. It could take up to 20 years before the first signs of the disease begin to manifest. When symptoms begin to manifest they tend to become worse over time. The lung scarring is permanent, but avoiding further contact can reduce the degree of the problem. It is vital to talk to your health professional in the event that you suspect you have been exposed to asbestos. They will inquire about your medical history and your occupation to determine if you could be at risk of exposure to asbestos. During a physical exam, the doctor will listen to your lungs using the stethoscope and record any sounds of crackling. They will also look for clubbing of the toes and fingers, an indication of asbestosis. They may order chest radiographs, which reveal asbestosis in its advanced stage as excessive whiteness of lung tissue. Asbestosis is, although not a type of cancer it can be linked to pleural mesothelioma. It is a form of cancer that develops in the lining of the lung. If you are diagnosed with asbestosis the chances of developing pleural cancer are increased. A balanced diet, adequate exercise and rest can aid in managing asbestosis. Medicines can also aid like ones that reduce the amount of lung secretions and ease chest pain. A pulmonologist will offer treatment options for patients, such as the use of oxygen supplemental to the lungs or pulmonary rehabilitation. It is crucial to ensure that you are up-to-date with vaccinations such as those for influenza and pneumococcal since asbestosis can increase the risk of contracting an infection.