Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a serious lung disease associated with those who have been exposed to asbestos. Also known as "diffuse pulmonary fibrosis", this disease was first given a name nearly a century ago but long before that, medical experts recognized the dangers of working with the mineral and effect it can have on the health of those who work with it on a regular basis.

What Causes Asbestosis?

Asbestosis is caused when asbestos fibers are inhaled. Even though the nose and bronchi filter out most particles that try to enter the lungs, the sharpness of asbestos fibers allows them to get through and eventually lodge in the lining of the lungs. These shards cause "fibrosis" or scarring, which results in breathing difficulties. Eventually, this scarring can develop into something more serious than asbestosis, such as the asbestos-caused cancer known as mesothelioma. However, not all cases of asbestosis develop into cancer. Some people live with asbestosis for the rest of their lives with no further progression.

How Do I Know if I Have It?

If you've been exposed to asbestos on a regular basis and you find that breathing has become difficult, you may have asbestosis. Common symptoms to look for include:

• Chest pain or tightness - This is often one of the first symptoms of asbestosis and is sometimes mistaken for heart disease. The scarring of the lungs causes lung tissue to not expand properly, which can be quite painful.
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath - Also another early symptom, victims of asbestosis will find that they become breathless after exercise or some other form of physical exertion. As the disease progresses, the breathlessness increases and may occur on a regular basis, even when at rest.
• Dry, persistent cough - This symptom can be quite annoying and often makes it difficult to eat or sleep.
• Clubbed fingers (later stages of the disease) - Pulmonary diseases are often characterized by the clubbing of the fingers, which results in a thickening of the digits and severe curvature of the nails.

If you exhibit any of these symptoms and have worked with asbestos in the past, make an appointment with your doctor and be sure to tell him/her about your asbestos exposure, even if it was decades ago. Asbestosis can remain dormant for 20-50 before symptoms arise.

Diagnosing the Disease

Asbestosis is diagnosed in much the same way as mesothelioma. Once you present your symptoms to your doctor, he/she will order tests, perhaps beginning with a chest x-ray and then an MRI or CT scan. Chances are that a definitive diagnosis will also involve an open-lung biopsy, which involves surgery to remove lung tissue.

Living with the Disease

If you are diagnosed with asbestosis, your doctor will probably recommend respiratory treatments, use of humidifiers, and any other therapies that can make breathing easier and lessen the pain caused by scarring. Most people with asbestosis can lead a fairly normal life, though physical activity may be limited.

If you are a smoker and have been diagnosed with asbestosis, you MUST STOP SMOKING. Studies have shown that asbestosis victims who smoke have an increased chance of developing mesothelioma, nearly 55% higher than asbestosis sufferers who don't smoke.