Asbestosis Disease of The Lungs

Causes By breathing in tiny fibers of asbestos, a heart resistant material that used to be common in insulation, vinyl floor tiles, cement, brake lining, and other products. People who have had a lot of exposure to asbestos at home, or work, can get asbestosis. It is environmental and is not contagious.

Affects When asbestos is cut, ground up, or disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers can fly into the air and stay there for a long time. When people inhale the tiny asbestos fibers, they can get stuck deep in the lungs. The fibers damage the alveoli deep in the lungs. Asbestos causes damage and scarring so your alveoli become stiff, not stretchy. When your alveoli are stiff, your lungs have a harder time taking in oxygen and getting rid of carbon dioxide, and the muscles in your chest have to work harder.

Symptoms People don’t often notice symptoms because they can take years to progress. By the time they notice permanent damage may be done. Symptoms include: shortness of breath, finding it hard to exercise or do physical activity, dry cough, chest pain.

How Common Is It? It in uncommon because asbestos is no longer used in housing materials or car parts. However it could be found in older people if they used to work with or around asbestos.

Treatment / Cure There is no real cure, though taking these measures can lower the risk of developing complications: Stop exposure Quit smoking Follow an exercise rehab program Wash your hands to avoid getting sick Vaccinations Prescribed oxygen Drain fluid from lungs Possible lung transplant.

Sources Canadian Lung Association – because it is a non-profit organization with intelligent doctors working with them PubMed Health – it’s the USA National Library of Medicine (World’s Largest Medical Library)

Lungs Asbestosis