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No Cure For Asbestosis Asbestosis is not curable, but there are treatments that can control symptoms and slow the progress of the disease. Smoking cigarettes significantly increases the risk of developing this chronic disease. Shipyard workers, construction workers and military veterans who have worked with asbestos-containing building materials are the people most likely to develop this deadly lung disease. The first signs include a persistent cough and difficulty breathing. Advanced cases may cause pulmonary hypertension and clubbing of the fingers. Signs and symptoms When people work with asbestos-containing materials micro-sized fibres can enter the air and be inhaled. Eventually, these fibres irritate the lung tissue and cause it to stiffen, which makes breathing difficult. This condition is known as asbestosis or pulmonary fibrosis, one of more than 200 types of interstitial lung disease. People who have been exposed to asbestos for a prolonged period of time are most at risk of developing this lung disease. The symptoms do not manifest until decades after exposure, and they can range in severity from mild to severe. Some of the more common symptoms include persistent coughing and chest pain. In some instances the lungs may develop a build-up of fluid within the pleural space. This produces a whistling sound known as inspiratory crackles when the person breathes. Asbestosis patients are at greater chance of developing mesothelioma. This cancer affects the lining in the chest cavity and abdomen. It can be difficult to differentiate between the two conditions. They often share symptoms like a thickening of the lungs and scarring, cough, breath that is short, and an abdominal lump. Inform your doctor if experience breathing problems. This will stop the condition from getting worse and may allow your doctor to diagnose the condition. To make a diagnosis, your doctor will review the medical history of you and your working history as well as lung function tests. X-rays or CT scans can reveal the extent of the lung damage and determine the condition of your lungs. functioning. If your doctor orders an X-ray biopsy, if they reveal that you have an lung tumor or nodule, it is probable they will order one. This involves inserting a needle into the lung to take a small amount of tissue. It can be an unpleasant procedure, however it's essential to rule out other illnesses that can cause lung lesions, such as mesothelioma and other lung cancers. It is also recommended that patients who have asbestosis get the pneumococcus and pneumonia vaccines to ensure that they are protected from infections in their weak lungs. Diagnosis Asbestosis is a traumatic condition that is caused by breathing asbestos. It typically takes 20 to 30 years after exposure before symptoms appear, though it may take longer. The substance is made up of microscopic fibres that enter the lungs as you breathe in. These fibres stick in the lungs, stiffening and scarring the lung. In time, your lungs become inefficient and you struggle to breathe. Asbestos was used extensively in manufacturing and building industries before it was banned. A doctor can determine the condition by analyzing your medical history and conducting a physical examination. During the exam, your doctor will listen to your lungs as you breathe by using an instrument called a stethoscope. If they hear crackling sounds, they may suspect asbestosis. Doctors can also examine the lungs using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans. These scans may reveal signs of lung damage such as scarring and narrow down the diagnosis. They may inquire about your previous work history to determine whether you were exposed asbestos. If your doctor suspects that asbestosis is present, they will order chest radiographs and pulmonary function tests to determine your breathing. These tests will help doctors determine other conditions that could cause breathing difficulties like emphysema, or Idiopathic lung fibrosis. X-rays and PFTs will also detect abnormalities in the structure of your lungs. The lung has main airways, also known as bronchi, which branch into smaller passageways, and finally tiny sacs known as alveoli. The lungs are an essential organ for the intake of oxygen and they are able to perform this function properly when they are free of scar tissue. If you're diagnosed as having asbestosis, your healthcare provider will recommend treatments to alleviate the symptoms and improve the quality of life. This includes oxygen therapy for supplemental purposes. It is delivered through thin tubes with prongs that fit inside your nostrils or through a mask. Your doctor may suggest that you participate in an pulmonary rehabilitation program. This can teach you breathing exercises and how to change your daily habits. In more serious cases, doctors may remove a small amount lung tissue to check for asbestos. However, it is an incision and is generally not recommended. Treatment Inhaling asbestos fibres leads to scarring of the lung (fibrosis) which limits breathing and makes it difficult to breathe. It generally takes years of regular exposure to asbestos fibres in factories and buildings before symptoms begin to manifest. This is why it's essential that those who worked in industries that used the material – such as electricians, shipbuilders, boilermakers and carpenters – speak to their doctor about any breathing problems they may have. The majority of those diagnosed with asbestosis are former workers in the construction and manufacturing industries. The earliest signs of the condition are typically a constant cough, shortness of breath and chest pain. Patients with severe cases can develop a tendency to club their fingers, which causes them to become larger and more round than normal. This can occasionally lead to lung or heart problems. The first step in treating asbestosis is to see an ophthalmologist who listens to your lung with an stethoscope. They will also ask you about your working background. If you are experiencing symptoms that are present, they will refer you to a specialist in lung diseases for additional tests. Tell your doctor about any other illnesses you may suffer from and if you've been exposed asbestos. This is because the condition can be misdiagnosed with other lung conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. A biopsy is an examination that allows specialists to determine if you suffer from asbestosis. They use a tiny needle to remove tissue or fluid from your lungs, and then examine it under a microscope for evidence of fibrosis. They may also look for other diseases that could be present, like mesothelioma and other cancers that could cause similar symptoms as asbestosis, like the pleural plaques. If Albany asbestos attorney 've been diagnosed of asbestosis, doctors will treat the underlying fibrosis to ease breathing problems and improve the quality of life. They may prescribe an oxygen therapy, humidifier or other medications to help you breathe easier and lessen the coughing. They may also advise you to stop smoking because smoking causes the condition to get worse. In the most severe cases, patients might require a lung transplant in order to improve their breathing and prolong their lives. Prognosis Asbestosis is incurable once it develops. However, treatment can help control symptoms and improve the quality of life. Follow the advice of your doctor when managing the condition. Smoking can also cause the condition to become worse. Asbestosis occurs when the lung tissues become stiff and scarred after exposure to asbestos fibres. The kind of asbestos that causes most damage is different in the form of blue (or crocidolite) and brown asbestos being more dangerous than white asbestos. When asbestos is mined it is a thin fibrous material that can be separated into fibres. The fibres are released into the air when the material is broken, cut or drilled, or is damaged. Inhaling the fibres can cause lung stiffening and scarring. It could take up to 20 years before the first symptoms of the disease appear. Once symptoms do occur, they typically get worse with time. The scarring of the lungs is permanent, however, the prevention of further contact can lessen the severity. It is crucial to speak with your doctor If you believe that you've been exposed asbestos. They will ask about your health history and occupation to determine if you could be at risk of asbestos exposure. During the physical exam the doctor will use an stethoscope to monitor your lungs and listen for crackling noises. They will also look for any signs of clubbing in the toes and fingers as which is a sign of asbestosis. They may order chest radiographs which show asbestosis in its advanced stage as excessive whiteness of lung tissue. Asbestosis is not a cancer however, it could be associated with the development of pleural melanoma, which is a type of cancer that grows in the lining of the lungs. The chances of developing pleural mesothelioma are increased once you have been diagnosed with asbestosis. Asbestosis can be controlled with healthy eating habits as well as exercise, rest and. Medications can also help like those that help thin the secretions of the lungs and relieve chest pain. A pulmonologist can provide treatment options for patients, such as additional oxygen or rehabilitation for the lungs. It is essential to be on top of vaccinations such as those for pneumococcal and influenza since asbestosis can increase the risk of infection.