Asbestosis | Medtick
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Asbestosis

What is it?

Asbestosis is a long term lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers – (asbestos in not dangerous when left untouched, however if damaged or moved it can release its fibres)

  • Asbestos is a whitish natural mineral product /material which is resistant to heat and corrosion and hence was used in buildings for insulation, flooring and roofing in the past, but is now no longer used).
  • This condition is irreversible.
  • If you are exposed to high levels of asbestos dust over a long period of time, some of the airborne fibers can become lodged within your alveoli — the tiny sacs inside your lungs where oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide in your blood.
  • The asbestos fibers irritate and scar lung tissue, causing the lungs to become stiff. This makes it difficult to breathe.
  • As asbestosis progresses, more and more lung tissue becomes scarred. Eventually, your lung tissue becomes so stiff that it can’t contract and expand normally.
  • Smoking cigarettes appears to increase the retention of asbestos fibers in the lungs, and often results in a faster progression of the disease.
  • Symptoms can vary greatly and usually don’t appear until many years after continued exposure.

Content from Mayo Clinic

Cause

  • Inhaling asbestos fibers
  • History of exposure to asbestos (particular in years 1970 – 1990’s)

Symptoms

  • Short of breath or breathing difficulties?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Pain in chest or shoulder?
  • A persistent  dry cough which is longer than three weeks?
  • Loss of appetite with weight loss?
  • Fingertips and toes that appear wider and rounder than normal (clubbing)?
  • Tight chest and/or chest pain?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

This condition can lead to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

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