How Is Asbestosis Treated?

older man using asthma inhaler
Doctors prescribe inhalers to help relieve the symptoms of asbestosis.

Doctors prescribe inhalers and medications to help those diagnosed with asbestosis manage symptoms. Patients with hypoxemia should have supplemental oxygen therapy. Some patients benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation or using a humidifier. 

Chest physical therapy is another treatment for fluid in the lungs. It uses percussion and vibration to loosen and clear mucus. Patients who don’t benefit from medications and noninvasive therapies may undergo surgery to lessen the severity of symptoms.

Asbestosis treatments aim to relieve pain, ease breathing and slow disease progression. The first step is to stop ongoing asbestos exposure. Asbestosis patients should also quit smoking. 

Doctors recommend flu and pneumonia vaccines. They will also treat chest infections with medication. Regular doctor visits are vital for patients to report new symptoms, such as weight loss or coughing up blood. These visits allow health care providers to monitor conditions and adjust treatments as needed.

Asbestosis Medications

Several types of medications can ease the symptoms of asbestosis, making it more comfortable to breathe. Some patients use over-the-counter cough drops and cough syrups. Those with more severe asbestosis symptoms may take prescription-strength medications.

Medications That Treat Asbestosis
  • Antibiotics: Doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat infections.
  • Antifibrotics: Pirfenidone is a medication for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. It shows promise as a treatment to slow the progression of asbestosis.
  • Inhalers (Bronchodilators):Inhalers relax the muscles in the airways. Common brands prescribed for asbestosis treatment include Accu-Hale, Maxair and Primatene. Proventil, Serevent and Ventolin are also common.
  • Medications to thin secretions: Drinking plenty of water is the best way to thin secretions and clear the airways. Medications like guaifenesin can also help.
  • Pain medications: Over-the-counter or prescription pain medications reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Supplemental oxygen: Oxygen is another effective treatment for asbestosis. Breathing from an oxygen tank gets more air into the lungs.

Despite their success in treating other lung diseases, immunosuppressants and anti-inflammatory medications are ineffective for treating asbestosis. These drugs treat inflammation, but asbestosis symptoms stem from the scarring of the lungs.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Asbestosis

Pulmonary rehabilitation aims to enhance breathing and life quality. It is often recommended as an asbestosis exposure treatment. This treatment method focuses on more than breathing exercises. It also works to manage symptoms of anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders common in those with serious illnesses. 

Components of Pulmonary Rehabilitation
  • Breathing techniques: Every program includes a series of breathing exercises, such as pursed lip breathing. Breathing techniques help patients control their breathing, even during stressful situations,
  • Counseling: Professional counseling helps patients manage mood disorders and emotional problems caused by long-term disease. Individual and group therapy are beneficial.
  • Education: Providers teach patients to spot flare-up signs. They guide patients on daily condition management and smoking cessation.
  • Exercise: Exercise, such as walking or cycling, builds muscle and increases stamina. It makes daily tasks easier and strengthens breathing muscles.
  • Medications: A doctor may prescribe medication that helps to open a patient’s airways.
  • Nutrition: Counseling with a dietitian helps patients learn which foods to eat to get the nutrients they need to stay healthy. A good meal plan can also assist in maintaining a healthy weight.
  • Oxygen therapy: Some patients may receive supplemental oxygen during their program.

Each patient works with a health care team to design a program unique to their needs. The exercises have few risks when performed correctly and under the care of a doctor. Breathing tests and a stress test measure heart rate, oxygen level and blood pressure. They help determine the best exercises for a patient’s program.

Patients learn pulmonary rehabilitation in a facility with a health care team. Providers teach exercises that patients can do at home. Typically, the program lasts several months with 2 or 3 sessions each week.

Surgery for Asbestosis

Surgeries for asbestosis aim to ease symptoms and pain. One option is thoracentesis. This procedure drains excess fluid (pleural effusion) from the lungs, making breathing easier.

A doctor will usually recommend surgery if the pleural effusion returns even after performing less invasive procedures to drain it. Other possible surgeries are pleurodesis, which prevents fluid buildup by sealing the pleura layers together. A pleurectomy removes a part of the pleura.

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Diagnostic Surgery

If an X-ray or CT scan finds a lung lesion or nodule, the patient may need a biopsy to rule out mesothelioma or another lung tumor. This biopsy helps ensure the right asbestosis treatment plan.

Surgeries to Collect Tissue

  • Bronchoscopy: A doctor inserts a light and camera through a thin tube. The tube goes through the patient’s nose or mouth, down into the lungs. The doctor can then look for signs of abnormalities or take a sample of tissue or fluid.
  • Mediastinoscopy: This procedure involves obtaining a tissue sample from along the windpipe by making an incision in the neck.
  • Needle aspiration: The doctor inserts a hollow needle through the chest into the tumor to remove a sample of the tissue.
  • Thoracentesis: The doctor inserts a hollow needle between the chest wall and the lungs to get a fluid sample.

Doctors may biopsy asbestosis patients at higher risk for mesothelioma or lung cancer. They also use pulmonary tests and lab work for diagnosis.

Thoracentesis as a Palliative Treatment

In addition to diagnosis, thoracentesis is an effective palliative treatment in patients who develop pleural effusion. This is when fluid collects between the chest wall and the lungs. The excess fluid compresses the lungs, making breathing painful and difficult. Patients often experience a persistent cough. 

Performing a thoracentesis to remove this fluid helps relieve pain and allows the lungs to work more efficiently. A thoracentesis is minimally invasive and usually well tolerated by most patients. It’s performed as an outpatient treatment. The procedure also goes by the name of pleural tap, pleural fluid aspiration, pleurocentesis and thoracocentesis.

Lung Transplant

A doctor might recommend a lung transplant for severe asbestosis cases. This is typically a last-resort option. It’s often needed for patients who also have lung cancer or emphysema. 

The lung transplant process is not suited for all asbestosis patients. The process is long and requires the patient to first undergo screening and extensive tests to determine the chances of a successful transplant.

Alternative Treatments for Asbestosis

Alternative treatments can’t cure asbestosis, but they do ease pain and symptoms. Many people include them in their care plans to help manage side effects from traditional treatments and boost overall health.

Common Alternative Asbestosis Treatments

  • Acupuncture
  • Herbal medicine
  • Homeopathic medicine
  • Massage therapy
  • Meditation
  • Nutrition

Patients need to discuss every alternative treatment option they wish to try with their doctor. Alternative therapies may provide some relief, but they can’t replace standard therapies. A doctor can recommend methods to try and ensure the patient’s chosen complementary therapies won’t interfere with other treatments. 

Common Questions About Asbestosis Treatment

What is the best treatment for asbestosis?

Asbestosis treatment varies by symptoms, disease severity and health. A doctor will recommend treatment options after completing tests and making a diagnosis. These may include pain relievers, inhalers, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation or surgery. A lung transplant is sometimes a last resort for severe cases.

What is the life expectancy of someone with asbestosis?

The life expectancy of an asbestosis patient is about 10 years after diagnosis. How long a patient lives ultimately depends on the severity of their disease and its progression. Survival for stage 1 patients is about 14.25 years; stage 2 is 4.16 years; and stage 3 is 1.75 years. Those who experienced high asbestos exposure levels typically progress more quickly into later disease stages. Those with lesser exposure may have a slow progression.

Is there a cure for asbestosis?

There is no cure for asbestosis. Once the damage to the lungs occurs, it is not reversible. Treatments can help ease symptoms and slow the disease’s progression.

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