Asbestos Disease
Asbestos exposure
has been attributed to being a root cause for many types of health
complications, with some being more serious than others. Many of these
complications affect the respiratory system and can impact breathing and
lung function. Mesothelioma symptoms
(i.e. chronic cough, chest pain, or difficulty breathing) are often
similar to other respiratory ailments. Therefore, it is important to
discuss specific situations with mesothelioma doctors, especially for those individuals who have a known asbestos-exposure history. Specialists, like Dr. David Sugarbaker and others, can help make an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis.
Even though asbestos was once considered a “miracle mineral”, it was
apparent since the days of the Holy Roman Empire that asbestos exposure
caused severe pulmonary problems. Even centuries ago, naturalists like
Pliny the Elder noted that the slaves who mined asbestos suffered from
“sickness of the lungs” and died at an early age.
Asbestos diseases did not garner widespread attention until the early
to mid-1900s when asbestos use was at its peak with more and more
individuals developing illnesses due to exposure to this toxic mineral.
Primarily used as insulation, asbestos was also added to a myriad of
other manufactured goods, including a wide variety of building products.
Although researchers do not fully understand why some individuals
develop asbestos diseases and others do not, evidence points to the fact
that length and intensity of exposure may have something to do with it.
Experts do agree with the fact that no amount of asbestos exposure is
safe.
Life with an Asbestos Disease
Because they affect the lungs and inhibit breathing, living with an
asbestos disease can be quite difficult. Both asbestosis and
mesothelioma patients will require certain procedures or treatments that
serve to lessen symptoms of the disease and aim to improve quality of
life. Unfortunately, however, both diseases eventually claim the lives
of their victims.
Most individuals who’ve developed asbestos diseases were exposed to
the mineral without knowing it was toxic. Though many employers knew of
the dangers of asbestos, many continued to use it without regard for
employees’ health and never provided masks or other gear that may have
prevented inhalation of asbestos fibers. This negligence has negatively
impacted not only the lives of thousands of victims but their loved ones
as well.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive form of asbestos cancer
for which the only known cause is exposure to asbestos. It affects
about 2,000 to 3,000 Americans each year. Like asbestosis, it can take
as much as 50 years to be diagnosed because it has a long latency
period. That means it remains silent in the body for decades, finally
appearing via symptoms like cough, shortness of breath, difficulty
breathing, chest pain, and fatigue.
Because asbestos exposure is the only cause of mesothelioma cancer,
those individuals who exhibit these symptoms must be sure to inform
their doctor of their past exposure. He will most likely order x-rays,
MRIs, or CT scans to determine the presence of a tumor, which usually
appears in the pleura – the lining of the lungs. The imaging tests will
be followed by a biopsy, which can determine whether or not the tumor is
malignant. Once a definitive diagnosis is made, the patient will meet
with an oncologist or medical team to determine the best course of
treatment.
Mesothelioma Lung Cancer
Lung cancer, which is different than mesothelioma because it actually
occurs in the lung tissue as opposed to the mesothelium, can also be
attributed to asbestos exposure. There are general sub-classifications
of lung cancer. These are
small cell and
non-small cell
which are assigned based on how the cancer cells appear within the lung
tissue. Each of these types has appeared in those exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma, while extremely rare, is still the most common
malignancy associated with asbestos exposure. Pure lung cancers have
also been connected with asbestos exposure, though it is also possible
for mesothelioma to spread into the affected lung from the pleura or
peritoneum. Lung cancers caused by asbestos exposure are known to be
more common in those with other mitigating risk factors, including
smoking.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis, also known as diffuse pulmonary fibrosis, can take
anywhere from 10-30 years to develop. That means those who are diagnosed
with asbestosis may have been exposed to asbestos as much as 30 years
before the disease is diagnosed.
Asbestosis is characterized by severe shortness of breath, which is
generally the first symptom to appear. At first, this is only evident
after exertion but may eventually happen even during rest. Other
symptoms include tightness in the chest, dry cough, loss of appetite,
fatigue, and – when the disease reaches an advanced stage – clubbing of
the fingers.
This disease is generally diagnosed by means of a chest x-ray which
can show scarring, as well as testing with more sophisticated imaging
including MRIs or CT scans. If asbestosis is suspected, an open lung
biopsy will most likely be performed.
If you are experiencing such symptoms and have worked with asbestos
in the past, it is essential that you inform your doctor as to your
history with this toxic mineral. It may help speed a diagnosis.
There is currently no cure for asbestosis but doctors can suggest
treatments and other procedures that can serve to lessen its symptoms
and make patients more comfortable. It is also essential that those who
have asbestosis stop smoking immediately. Smokers with asbestosis are
much more likely to develop mesothelioma – asbestos-caused cancer.
