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Asbestosis
Pulmonary fibrosis - from asbestos exposure; Interstitial pneumonitis - from asbestos exposure
Asbestosis is a lung disease that occurs from breathing in asbestos fibers.
Causes
Breathing in asbestos fibers can cause scar tissue (fibrosis) to form inside the lung. Scarred lung tissue does not expand and contract normally.
How severe the disease is depends on how long the person was exposed to asbestos and the amount that was breathed in. Often, people do not notice symptoms for 20 years or more after the asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers were commonly used in construction before 1975. Asbestos exposure occurred in asbestos mining and milling, construction, fireproofing, and other industries. Families of asbestos workers can also be exposed from particles brought home on the worker's clothing.
Other asbestos-related diseases include:
- Pleural plaques (calcification)
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Malignant mesothelioma
(cancer of the pleura, the lining of the lung), which can develop 20 to 40 years after exposure
Malignant mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon cancerous tumor. It mainly affects the lining of the lung and chest cavity (pleura) or lining of the abdomen (...
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Pleural effusion
, which is a collection that develops around the lung a few years after asbestos exposure
Pleural effusion
A pleural effusion is a buildup of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity.
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Workers today are less likely to get asbestos-related diseases because of government regulations.
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing asbestos-related diseases.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include any of the following:
-
Chest pain
Chest pain
Chest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.
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Cough
Cough
Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. But too much coughing may mean you have a disease or disorder. Some coughs are d...
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Shortness of breath
with activity (slowly gets worse over time)
Shortness of breath
Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathingUncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air
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Possible other symptoms include:
-
Clubbing
of fingers
Clubbing
Clubbing is changes in the areas under and around the toenails and fingernails that occur with some disorders. The nails also show changes.
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Nail abnormalities
Nail abnormalities
Nail abnormalities are problems with the color, shape, texture, or thickness of the fingernails or toenails.
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Exams and Tests
When listening to the chest with a stethoscope, the doctor may hear crackling sounds called rales.
These tests may help diagnose the disease:
-
Chest x-ray
Chest x-ray
A chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.
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CT scan of the lungs
CT scan of the lungs
A chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....
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Pulmonary function tests
Pulmonary function tests
Pulmonary function tests are a group of tests that measure breathing and how well the lungs are functioning.
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Treatment
There is no cure. Stopping exposure to asbestos is essential. To ease symptoms, drainage and chest percussion can help remove fluids from the lungs.
Percussion
Percussion is a method of tapping body parts with fingers, hands, or small instruments as part of a physical examination. It is done to determine:Th...
The doctor may prescribe aerosol medicines to thin lung fluids. People with this condition may need to receive oxygen by mask or by a plastic piece that fits into the nostrils. Certain patients may need a lung transplant.
Support Groups
You can ease the stress of this illness by joining a lung support group . Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.
Lung support group
The following organizations are good resources for information on lung disease:American Lung Association -- www. lung. orgNational Heart, Lung, and B...
Outlook (Prognosis)
Outcome depends on the amount of asbestos you were exposed to and how long you were exposed.
Persons who develop malignant mesothelioma tend to have a poor outcome.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you suspect that you have been exposed to asbestos and you have breathing problems.
Prevention
In people who have been exposed to asbestos for more than 10 years, screening with a chest x-ray every 3 to 5 years may detect asbestos-related diseases early. Stopping cigarette smoking can greatly reduce the risk of asbestos-related lung cancer.
References
Cowie RL, Becklake MR. Pneumoconioses. In: Broaddus VC, Mason RJ, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 73.
Tarlo SM. Occupational lung disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds.
Goldman's Cecil Medicine.
25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 93.
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Respiratory system - illustration
Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.
Respiratory system
illustration
Review Date: 6/22/2015
Reviewed By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Associate Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
