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Asbestosis Treatment

Asbestosis symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, and painful breathing are caused by a build-up of scar tissue in the delicate tissue of the lungs. This scar tissue is inflexible and cannot function as normal healthy lung tissue does, and the development of scar tissue is largely responsible for both pain and difficulty in breathing experienced by people with asbestosis. For further information about asbestosis causes, symptoms and diagnosis please see Asbestosis Overview.

While ceasing exposure to asbestos can prevent symptoms of asbestosis from worsening, the lung damage that asbestos causes is irreversible. There are currently no treatments that can repair the damage done to the lungs. Instead, treatments for asbestosis are designed to improve a patient's quality of life by reducing the severity of symptoms such as painful breathing and shortness of breath. There are three main types of treatments for asbestosis: surgical treatments, drugs, and alternative treatments.

Surgical Treatment

Surgical options for asbestosis can be used for both diagnosis and treatment.

For diagnostic purposes, procedures such as fine needle aspiration, thoracentesis, and thoracotomy may be used. Each of these involves the removal of fluid or tissue from the lung area so that these samples can be tested in a laboratory. These procedures may be used to help confirm a diagnosis of asbestosis by eliminating the possibility of mesothelioma or another type of cancer.

Thoracentesis may also be used as a palliative treatment. This procedure is carried out to remove fluid that builds up in the lung area, causing difficulty in breathing. During a thoracentesis, a thin, hollow needle is inserted into the thoracic cavity, and fluid is withdrawn through the needle. In situations where thoracentesis is carried out for diagnostic purposes, the fluid is tested for the presence of cells or molecules that can help confirm a diagnosis.

In very severe cases of asbestosis, a lung transplant may be an option. During this procedure a diseased lung is removed and replaced with a lung that has been harvested from a donor. Typically a lung transplant is a "last resort" type of treatment that is an option only for people who are also affected by other severe lung diseases such as cancer.

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 asbestosis suffers breathe more easily. These medications are typically provided in the form of a "puffer" inhaler that provides a measured dose of medication with each puff. Bronchodilators work by relaxing the muscles of the airways, so that the lungs can inhale as much air as possible.

Pain management is important for people with asbestosis, as the disease can become very painful. Pain medications for asbestosis include both over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, and prescription medications for severe pain.

People with asbestosis are often at increased risk of developing respiratory infections due to weakened lung function. To help reduce the risks, they may receive antibiotic treatment with respiratory antibiotics such as Ceclor and Keflex.

Other medications are used to thin lung secretions to provide relief from coughing. These are available as both over-the-counter and prescription medications, and are usually administered orally, or via an aerosol spray.

Please see Asbestos Treatment - Drugs for further information.

Alternative Treatments

Some asbestosis patients turn to alternative treatments such as homeopathy, acupuncture and herbal medications to gain some relief from asbestosis symptoms. As with other asbestosis treatments, these alternative therapies cannot provide a cure, but symptomatic relief is possible.

Acupuncture, which involves the insertion of needles in certain points of the body, is perhaps one of the most accepted alternative asbestosis treatments. In fact, many health insurers are willing to pay for acupuncture treatments. For asbestosis patients, acupuncture can provide relief from pain, and help make breathing easier. Massage therapy can also be an effective way of managing pain, and easing shortness of breath by stimulating circulation.

Homeopathy can also provide relief from pain and other symptoms. In addition, traditional herbal remedies used to treat asthma can sometimes provide symptomatic relief for people with asbestos. However, it's important to consult with your doctor before taking any herbal or homeopathic remedies, to prevent any adverse drug reactions from occurring.

Good nutrition, while not strictly an alternative therapy, is often more important than many people may realize. No diet can cure asbestosis, but nutritional supplements and other dietary changes can help strengthen the body and may be able to ease shortness of breath. For example, reducing the use of dairy products and additives in food may help ease breathing by reducing mucus secretions. A healthy diet is also helpful for managing stress and anxiety.

For further information about these treatments, please see Asbestos Treatments - Alternative.

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