Asbestos in the lungs

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Asbestos in the lungs

Asbestos

What is asbestos?

Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals. Asbestos has been used extensively in building supplies and other consumer products. Research shows that asbestos fibers can cause major respiratory problems and cancer. Old and fragile asbestos products can release small, even microscopic fibers. These fibers can still hang in the air and enter the lungs when you inhale. Asbestos fibers in the air have no smell or taste. Because of health risks, the federal government has banned the use of asbestos on certain products, but can still be used on others.

What is the source of asbestos?

Damaged, damaged or disturbed products such as insulation, refractory materials, acoustic materials, and floor tiles can become asbestos air sources indoors. When materials containing asbestos are disrupted, small fibers break up and are suspended in the air. These fibers can remain in the air for long periods of time before settling in the dust.

People who work with or around asbestos (miners, asbestos reduction workers, custodian and maintenance workers, and isolation workers) face a greater risk of exposure. If appropriate safety precautions - masks and covers - are not used, workers can bring asbestos fibers to their homes and families.

What is the impact of asbestos on health?

Asbestos can cause cancer. Inhaling asbestos fibers increases the risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma, cancer kills the thin layer that surrounds the lungs and other organs. The risk depends on how much you breathe, how long you are exposed and whether you smoke. Smoking, in addition to breathing asbestos, increases your chances of developing lung cancer

When you breathe in asbestos, the small fibers enter your airways. Your body's natural defense removes most of these particles. Most will be carried away or coughed in the mucous layer that protects your lungs. However, some fibers can bypass the defenses and stick deep in your lungs. The fibers can remain in place for a very long time and may never disappear. Most of the harmful effects of asbestos will not be immediately visible. They often develop many years after exposure occurs

Exposure to airborne asbestos in high concentrations for long periods can cause non-cancerous problems in the lungs and chest. Such exposure can also scar tissue in the lungs, in a condition called asbestosis. Scarring does not behave like normal and healthy lung tissue and makes breathing difficult. Asbestosis is a very serious and life-threatening disease. Fortunately, most people who are only exposed to moderate levels of asbestos are not likely to develop this more serious disease.

How can you protect yourself from asbestos?

If you know or suspect there is asbestos in your home or workplace, leave the material alone if possible. Exposure to materials containing asbestos at a minimum as long as they are in good condition and not disturbed Fiber is not possible to become air unless the material is cut, torn or sanded. If you need to remodel, remove or clean asbestos, be sure to hire trained professionals

If a material is damaged and you suspect it might contain asbestos, limit access to the area. Don't try to take your own sample to see if it's asbestos. Taking samples can do more damage than leave it alone. Consult with trained professionals. Sealing or covering open material can often be a better choice than removing it.

Asbestos in the lungs blf.org.uk

Symptoms of asbestosis

asbestosis Asbestosis is usually a progressive disorder. Shortness of breath gradually worsens often for years. When asbestosis develops, scar tissue causes the lungs to shrink and breathing becomes more difficult.

Damage to lung capacity may be undetected for years due to the reserve of the lungs. As the disease progresses, lung capacity decreases. Patients suffering from asbestosis have an increased risk of bronchitis, pneumonia and heart disease. As a result, people with asbestosis can come with heart-related symptoms such as abnormal heart rhythms and heart failure.

As well as arising from causes other than asbestos exposure interstitial fibrosis can also be idiopathic, meaning that no cause can be determined. This condition is known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or cryptogenic fibrosis. However, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis tends to be a very fast progressive condition while asbestosis tends to involve gradual decline so that both conditions can usually be distinguished.

Asbestosis diagnosis

However, a diagnosis of asbestosis may be difficult to make. The diagnosis is made by obtaining a history of exposure to asbestos, typical x-ray signs, studies of lung function and clinical signs such as inspiration (breathing). Clubbing of fingers and toes is rare.

The first modern evidence of fibrotic pulmonary disorder in asbestos workers was found in an autopsy carried out by Dr. Montague-Murray in England in 1899, and reported in 1907. There is a popular misconception that asbestos-related diseases are less of a problem because exposure to asbestos was less than in 1960- and 1970s. However, the number of cases of some forms of asbestos-related diseases, namely mesothelioma, increases.

However, the emergence of high-resolution CT scans in the 1990s that showed more details of the lungs compared to simple chest radiographs provided more information to respiratory specialists to make a diagnosis of asbestosis and so far the diagnosis of asbestosis is likely to increase.

Asbestos in the lungs ishn.com

Asbestosis treatment

While Asbestosis cannot be restored, there are treatments available for sufferers to slow progress and help them live years after diagnosis. The most common treatments for Asbestosis are respiratory care and treatment. Surgery may also be available, although it is rare.

Available treatments and medicines are generally palliative, meaning they will not cure illnesses, only increase and allow sufferers to live a quality life. In most cases, doctors will prescribe inhalers and medications such as bronchodilators, moisturizers and oxygen therapy.

If the symptoms are severe, surgery may be needed to remove scar tissue. Anyone who suffers from Asbestosis should avoid smoking because research has found that smoking accelerates and worsens the condition.

How AMAA can help you

For more information about the symptoms, treatment, and management of Asbestosis, please contact Asbestosis & Mesothelioma Association of Australia (AMAA) on 1800 017 758 or through our contact form today.

Advanced symptoms

Pulmonary hypertension

The formation of scar tissue can also narrow the arteries and make it difficult to pump blood out of the heart and into the lungs without increasing the pressure needed to carry out the action. This is called pulmonary hypertension, which is a condition different from "high blood pressure" which is more common or systemic hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension is dangerous because it forces the heart to work harder, potentially causing previous problems with coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.