All About Asbestos Related Diseases
Asbestos is a natural mineral commonly used in a variety of products, mainly used for its fire-resistant and insulating qualities. For this reason asbestos has become a primary component in building materials in spite of its ban in 1979. This has led to the development of many asbestos related diseases in those who were exposed to it over a long period of time. There are many diseases related to asbestos: Mesothelioma One of the major asbestos related diseases is Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer caused only by exposure to asbestos dust. It grows on the lining of the lung, peritoneum or occasionally in the lining of the pericardium. Sufferers tend to die within six to eighteen months following diagnosis. This asbestos related disease presents itself a build up of an effusion in the area being affected. The treatment for this asbestos related disease is to drain the fluid and check for any cancer cells. This asbestos related disease is also recognized when with a patient reports pain and a growth is noticed on an X-ray. Lung and other cancers It is officially recognized that asbestos exposure can cause some other asbestos related disease like lung and other cancers. There is evidence that exposure to asbestos causes another asbestos related disease, the cancer of the larynx. It may also cause cancers at other sites in the body, like the gut, colon, rectum and in the ovaries which are also some of the lesser known asbestos related diseases. Asbestosis Another disease related to asbestos is the Asbestosis is a form of pneumoconiosis, a term for a type of damage done to the interior of the lung by inhaled dust. The lung consists of millions of minute pockets called alveoli where oxygen and carbon dioxide are transferred to and from the blood. Microscopic dust that reaches the alveoli can damage the alveoli walls, causing scar tissue which then puts pressure on the neighboring alveoli which break and scar, and so on. Over time this reduces the lung's ability to get oxygen into the blood and the result is extreme shortness of breath. To compensate for this, the heart works harder, resulting in heart failure. Mild asbestosis may not cause any noticeable symptoms but once scarring has taken place, this asbestos related disease gets worse. Pleural thickening The Asbestos related disease, pleural thickening, is what occurs when the lining of the lung, the pleura, hardens as a reaction to asbestos fibers in the lung. It can develop on one or both of the lungs. In severe cases it can restrict breathing. There is no cure for this asbestos related pleural thickening disease and it can reduce the quality of life with extreme scenario being potentially life threatening. It is an indicator of previous asbestos exposure and may be a precursor to other asbestos diseases. Pleural plaques The last of the list of the asbestos related diseases is the pleural plaques, which are small areas of localized thickening or scarring of the lining of the lung. Generally they are not regarded as causing any disability or symptoms but calcified plaques are regularly reported by sufferers as causing discomfort and considerable pain. Again, there is no cure for this asbestos related disease but the condition may be seen as an indicator of asbestos exposure and may be a precursor to other asbestos diseases. |
