Asbestosis – Check out the facts

Asbestosis keeping it real

Asbestosis is just as lethal as Mesothelioma, it is a disorder of the lungs and airways and is caused by the inhalation over time of high levels of asbestos fibers. This constant inhalation can lead to Fibrosis which is a scarring of the lung tissue and causes restricted breathing. The biggest problem with asbestosis is that it takes a number of years before its symptoms appear, and once diagnosed the condition often gets worse and often leads to disability or even death.

Asbestos is a natural fiber which due to its resistance to heat and corrosion, has for many years been used in the manufacturing and building industries, with particular use for insulating pipes, for fire-retardant materials, linings of brakes and clutches in our cars and even vinyl floor tiles.

In the 1970s it started to become apparant that asbestos was not a good thing and government began regulating its use. Statistics revealed that people developing asbestosis were those that had high levels of contact with it, especially those who worked with it. It is believed that over 10 million people may have been exposed to asbestos. Thankfully today regulations make it more difficult for the general public or non protected workers to come into constant contact with asbestos.

Preventing Asbestosis

The key to this is reducing levels of exposure to asbestos. Thankfully today there are many procedures in place to help, so if you are exposed to asbestos make sure your company does not expose you to over 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air, and also ensure that they monitor exposure levels and provide the appropriate training, protective gear and decontamination areas.

Many pre 1970 homes may contain asbestos products such as insulation, soundproofing and decorative material sprayed on walls and ceilings. Normally, there is little cause to worry as long as they are in good condition and dont disturb them. It is usually when they are damaged that any danger of fibers becoming airborne become Asbestosis a reality, so when this comes about make sure you get a professional to replace the damage and remove the asbestos.

Asbestosis the symptoms

Difficulty in breathing, which starts with exertion but at some stage will be constant
Increased intolerance towards physical activity
Constant coughing
Pains in the chest area

So how do you develop Asbestosis

The tiny air sacs within your lungs have very thin walls so that oxygen can be passed into the blood stream. Bad things like dust and other foreign particles are expelled from your lungs when you cough. If coughing does not remove any particles, these particles are then attacked by your immune cells. In the lungs these are known as macrophages.

The bad thing about asbestos fibers is that even macrophages struggle to destroy them. In trying to remove the asbestos fiber they often excrete substances that instead of destroying the fiber actually hurt the lung tissues, leading to fibrosis. Over many years constant in halation of these fibers leads to cumulative scarring of the air sacs and thus reduces their ability to supply the body with oxygen. Therefore leading to a shortness of breath and possible Asbestosis.

Asbestosis Treatment

Asbestosis is a non reversal disease and so any treatments are aimed at preventing any more damage and also in relieving the symptoms. The most important factor in stopping Asbestosis progression is ceasing exposure to asbestos.

Ways to help with your breathing is to have an extra supply of oxygen or a procedure to drain build up of fluid from around your lungs, in the most severe cases it may require a lung transplant. Other ways to help asbestosis patients is to supply medications that expand or relax blood vessels, and also the prevention of blood clots that may obstruct narrowed vessels.

So if you are showing signs of Asbestosis then follow our advice.