Asbestosis Treatment - Drugs

Also known as pulmonary fibrosis, asbestosis is a medical condition that affects thousands of people around the world. Breathing in asbestos, a natural substance that is extremely dangerous for humans, is the only thing that causes this disease. Unfortunately, exposure to asbestos could have been controlled in the past, creating a healthier world for us to live in today.

Asbestos, a very fibrous substance, was once used in a number of products. It was cheap and strong, so companies continued to use it even after they found out about the major health concerns caused by this product. Millions of people were unknowingly exposed to asbestos, and of those millions, a significant percent developed medical conditions.

Asbestosis occurs when your lung tissue is scarred. Over time, inhaling asbestos causes the small fibers are very jagged and stick into the sensitive linings of your lungs, which causes scarring over time. That scar tissue builds up, filling the space usually used by the lungs to expand. It also debilitates the lungs by making it impossible for gas exchange to occur. For more information, please see Asbestosis Overview.

Luckily, because asbestosis is such a common problem, there are a number of ways to treat it with medications. There is no cure available, but certain drugs can help ease the pain and symptoms.

* Bronchodilators: Used to relax muscles in your airway, bronchodilators are commonly prescribed for asbestosis patients having a hard time breathing. This relax and dilate your airway, helping the muscles take in the most air possible. Bronchodilators are usually give through inhalation, and are common for asthma patients. You'll be given a "puffer" which delivers the medication in a dose per puff. Some common brands of bronchodilators include Maxair, Ventolin, Serevent, Proventil, Primatene, Accu-Hale, and Xopenex.

* Aspirin and Acetominophen (Tylenol): When it comes to medical conditions, sometimes the very best drugs are those that you already keep in your medicine cabinet. Aspirin and Tylenol are both very effective again the main caused by asbestosis. Pain management is important, since the scar tissue can make your life very painful. Aspirin and Tylenol can both be picked up without a prescription, although you should still talk to your doctor about how and when to use them. He or she can also give you prescription-strength main medications in case you are still in unbearable pain.

* Antibiotics: Asbestosis in and of itself cannot be cured, but prognosis is good if you remove the source of asbestos from your life. That said, there are still dangers due to your weakened state. Antibiotics can greatly help reduce your risks of infection. Some common antibiotics for respiratory patients include Keflex and Ceclor.

* Medications to Thin Secretions: Coughing is a common problem for people dealing with all kinds of respirator problems, including asbestosis. Many of these medications are given orally or through an aerosol spray. You can get prescription versions, but it is also possible to find over-the-counter medications, like Guaifenesin.

If you're experience very severe symptoms, there are a number of non-drug treatments that your doctor may recommend. These include processes to drain the fluid from your chest and surgery to remove scar tissue. Getting these treatments as soon as possible can really help you beat asbestosis.

The sad fact, however, is that there is no cure. Once you are exposed to asbestos and develop asbestosis, you can only control the symptoms. Asbestosis and other painful and debilitating medical conditions that occur due to asbestos could have been prevented if companies using asbestos in their products would have been responsible with its use.

While asbestos is no longer used in the vast majority of consumer products, you should be wary of a number of products in the home, if they were built before the 1980s. These include plaster, stucco, roofing material, sheet rock, joint compound, paint, tile and tile grout, carpeting, adhesives, ceiling panels, wallpaper, and - most importantly - insulation. Insulation was one of the most common consumer items to use asbestos before the 1980s. Please see Occupations at Risk of Asbestos Exposure and Products Containing Asbestos for further information.

Of course, the best medicine is preventative medicine. If you are doing construction demolition work, it is important to wear the proper safety garments and masks. In addition, if you are not a professional, you should talk to a professional before doing work on an older home. Have your home tested for asbestos and, if asbestos is found, have it removed professionally so that it does not pose a threat to you and your family.

Every day, doctors are finding new and better ways to treat asbestosis. You also have options in regards to finances. Because many major companies hid the dangers of asbestos, many have settled and provide funds for patients to pay for the damages. If you've been diagnosed with asbestosis, talk to an asbestos lawyer today to learn about your rights.

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