Asbestosis

Asbestosis Overview

During the twentieth century, many industries involved working with asbestos, including the construction and ship-building industries, and industries involved in manufacturing asbestos-containing products. Please see Occupations at Risk of Asbestos Exposure and Products Containing Asbestos for further information.

Four out of every 10,000 Americans suffer from asbestosis, a disease which is caused only by exposure to asbestos. In addition, 10,000 deaths in the US each year are attributable to asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis. The majority of these people worked in at-risk occupations during the mid-to-late twentieth century. While the use of asbestos in many products has been banned, the nature of asbestosis and other asbestos-related diseases is such that people who worked in at-risk occupations will continue to develop such diseases for the next several decades.

Asbestosis is a particularly dangerous disease because by the time symptoms begin to appear, exposure to inhalation asbestos fibers has already caused irreversible lung damage. While ceasing asbestos exposure can prevent the condition from worsening, it cannot reverse the damage that has already been done. People who develop asbestosis as a result of asbestos exposure will be affected by the condition for the rest of their lives.

Causes of Asbestosis

Asbestosis is caused by breathing in tiny asbestos fibers, which are often thinner in diameter than a human hair, and are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Once inhaled into the lungs, these asbestos fibers cannot be destroyed or expelled by the body. They remain embedded in lung tissue, causing chronic irritation and inflammation to delicate lung tissue. Over time, as this irritation continues, scar tissue develops that cannot function as normal healthy lung tissue does. Scar tissue is inflexible and cannot contract and expand, leading to symptoms of asbestosis.

Symptoms of Asbestosis

Symptoms of asbestosis begin to appear when lung function has been damaged by asbestos exposure to the point where breathing becomes noticeably difficult. Many asbestosis patients liken the symptoms they experience to those of asthma. Generally, the first symptom of asbestosis is shortness of breath during physical exertion. As the condition worsens, shortness of breath may be experienced even when resting. Other symptoms of asbestosis include painful breathing and coughing. For further information, please see Asbestosis Symptoms.

Diagnosis of Asbestosis

Diagnosis of asbestosis first requires that the patient gives their doctor a full medical history, including details of any known asbestos exposure. If you know you have been exposed, ensuring your doctor has this information is crucial to ensure a correct diagnosis.

In addition, patients will undergo several tests, which may include a pulmonary function test, chest x-ray, and CT scan. These are used to diagnose asbestosis, and may also be used for screening purposes to detect asbestosis in people who have not yet developed symptoms of the disease. For further information, please see Asbestosis Diagnosis.

Treatment for Asbestosis

There is no cure for asbestosis, and no treatments that can reverse the lung damage caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestosis treatments are designed mainly to relieve the symptoms of the condition and improve quality of life for people with asbestosis. Treatments for asbestosis are split into three main categories: surgical treatments, drugs, and alternative treatments.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery for asbestosis includes both diagnostic and treatment procedures. Treatment procedures are typically carried out to ease the symptoms of the disease, rather than to cure it. However, for patients with very severe asbestosis, a lung transplant may be considered. For further information about surgical options for asbestosis diagnosis and treatment, please see Asbestos Treatment - Surgery.

Drugs

Drug treatments for asbestosis include pain medication, bronchodilators, and antibiotics. Bronchodilators are prescribed to help ease shortness of breath. These work by relaxing the airways so that more air can be inhaled into the lungs. Bronchodilators for asbestosis are similar in design to those used by asthmatics. Pain medications for asbestosis include both over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, and prescription medications. People with asbestosis will also often receive antibiotic treatment to reduce the risks of infection. Please see Asbestos Treatment - Drugs for further information.

Alternative Treatments

As with other types of asbestosis treatment, alternative treatments cannot provide a cure. However, many patients find that treatments such as acupuncture, homeopathy, and herbal medicine help relieve symptoms of the disease. For further information about these treatments, please see Asbestos Treatments - Alternative.

Complications of Asbestosis

People with asbestosis may also develop dangerous complications that occur as a result of reduced lung function. These include high blood pressure, heart disease, and other complications such as build-up of fluid in the lungs. In addition, people who have developed asbestosis may be at risk of other asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma cancer. For further information about complications of asbestosis, please see Asbestosis Complications. For information about mesothelioma cancers, please see Mesothelioma Overview.

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