Disease of asbestosis Asbestosis is a fibrous lung disease, it arises from the prolonged inhalation of air with asbestos fibers, a natural material extracted from the earth, resistant to chemicals and high temperatures. It is widely used in construction, used for fire, roofing and insulation work. When inhaled, ordinary dust particles are filtered out, whereas asbestos particles are very light and thin, so they often enter the lungs. The tissue of the lungs becomes rigid and fibrous. The further exposure to asbestos can lead to damage to the lung tissue, and this can lead to diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.


Causes of

The onset of asbestosis occurs when asbestos fibers penetrate deep into the lungs. They accumulate in scanty air sacs and, with prolonged exposure to the body, lead to the formation of light scars in large areas, lungs cease to be elastic, leading to fibrosis. If the lungs can not normally contract and expand, a person experiences severe dyspnea. The ability of the lungs to exchange hydrocarbon for oxygen is also reduced.

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Risk Groups

In the first place, asbestosis can be in people who are constantly exposed to asbestos. With frequent work with asbestos, the risk of developing diseases associated with this material increases. But there are facts that a lot of people who have permanent and prolonged contact with asbestos material do not get asbestosis.

People working with asbestos material on their work:

  • Working shipyards;
  • Automechanics;
  • Workers who extract or process asbestos;
  • Construction workers;
  • Relatives of people whose work is associated with asbestos often bring the fibers home on clothes or hair;
  • Substances that are contained in tobacco smoke;
  • People working in places where asbestos is often used as a building material.

Symptoms of asbestosis

Develops asbestosis for a long time. The first symptoms, most often, become noticeable after 10-40 years of the very first asbestos penetration. The disease is able to develop, despite the fact that contact with asbestos was a very long time. The severity of this disease largely depends on the amount and time of exposure to asbestos. Symptoms become worse as the disease progresses, and can include:

  • The most visible symptom is shortness of breath, which causes difficulty in breathing;
  • Dry and persistent cough, it means that there is no mucus in the airways.
  • Loss of appetite;
  • Stamina and chest pain;
  • Loss in weight.
  • Poor health;
  • The terminal phalanges of the fingers become much thicker, sometimes it is caused by the accumulation of fluid.

Diagnosis of asbestosis

The diagnosis is made based on:

  • The presence of fibrosis and lung scars found on medical examination or during additional tests;
  • Availability of data on the effects of asbestos;
  • If there are no other reasons that can cause a similar clinical picture.

  • In chest X-ray images, changes in the lungs are evident;
  • Pictures of the structure inside the body are being taken by this type of X-ray examination, such as computed tomography. The advantage of computed tomography is that the resolution of its image is much higher than the simple X-ray. It makes it easy to detect anomalies in people who have been exposed to asbestos;
  • Performing a pulmonary test( functional test), during which the inhalation and exhalation of the lungs take place, shows a significant decrease in the ability of normal functioning of the lungs;
  • Oximetry, which is a non-invasive method for assessing the status of oxygen.

Treatment of asbestosis

Unfortunately, there is no method for treating asbestosis and the disease worsens over time. In the case of asbestosis, the following measures should be taken:

  • Completely interrupt contact with asbestos;
  • You need to quit smoking. Smokers who are sick with asbestosis are at risk of lung cancer.

Treatment includes treatment of symptoms and patient health maintenance, this includes:

  • Immediate treatment of colds and respiratory infections;
  • Vaccination from pneumococcus and influenza;
  • It is necessary to avoid accumulation of people, where possible distribution of infection;
  • Regular chest radiography, in order to observe the cancer in the initial stages;
  • Improved nutrition;
  • Oxygen therapy and various types of respiratory therapy are performed to facilitate breathing;
  • Physical and respiratory exercises;
  • If necessary, breathing with pure oxygen.

Unfortunately, today, modern medicine does not know drugs that can stop the development of this disease. All treatment is aimed at getting rid of symptoms, providing comfort to the patient. The method of postural drainage( light vibration and special position of the body) removes secretions from the lungs. They help to improve the state of inhalation or vibration effects on mucus of the lungs. In order to feel better, to improve oxygenation( oxygenate the body) and to ease shortness of breath, the patient needs to perform breathing exercises. It will be necessary to use an oxygen mask or special nose cannulae( tubules).It is possible to organize at home and during transportation, supplying additional oxygen with a mobile balloon installation. If there was a great exposure to asbestos, then it is important to quit smoking to save life. The simultaneous effects of active smoking and asbestos many times increase the risk that lung cancer will develop. In order to avoid the disease with asbestosis, there is only one way - to prevent exposure to asbestos on the body. Many countries are doing everything possible to combat the incidence. In some countries, the use of blue asbestos materials is prohibited, under strict control the use of white asbestos. Periodic medical examination and annual X-ray examinations of workers help to identify the disease at the earliest stages. If asbestosis is diagnosed, then work with this dangerous material is prohibited. A person who develops diseases associated with asbestos, he has the full right to financial assistance. The government of most countries guarantees monetary compensation to all the sick. The doctor helps to correctly and correctly fill out the necessary documents in order to apply for financial assistance.

Prevention of asbestosis

Currently in construction, the use of asbestos is sharply reduced. Asbestosis can be prevented by controlling the presence of fibers and dust asbestos in the workplace. People who need to work on asbestos at work should be showered in accordance with safety rules and change their clothes before they leave work. If these measures are followed, then the diseases of asbestosis are sharply reduced.

If at construction, asbestos materials were used at home, then for safety of health, it is necessary to replace with safe modern analogues. It should be noted that smoking many times increases the possibility of occurrence and the rate of development of asbestosis.