Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a type of chronic inflammatory respiratory disease caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers. When inhaled, asbestos fibers can become trapped inside the lungs, causing the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) and the development of this non-malignant asbestos disease. Scarred lung tissue does not expand and contract as it should and thus the lungs cannot perform gas exchange, oxygenating blood while removing carbon dioxide at a normal rate. The severity of the disease depends upon the duration of exposure to asbestos and the amount inhaled.

Asbestos was commonly used in construction before 1975. Asbestos exposure occurs in asbestos mining and milling industries, construction, fireproofing, and other industries. In families of asbestos workers, exposure can also occur from particles brought home on a worker's clothing. This is type of secondary exposure is commonly referred to as paraoccupational asbestos exposure.

More than nine million workers are at risk of developing asbestosis. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing the disease.

Asbestosis Symptoms

There are a number of symptoms that are associated with the development of asbestosis. Some asbestosis symptoms are similar to those associated with a number of related diseases, such as pleural mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer, pleural plaques and pneumonia. The most common presenting symptoms of asbestosis include:

Shortness of breath on exertion
Cough
Tightness in the chest
Chest pain

Less-common asbestosis symptoms may include the following:

Nail abnormalities
Clubbing of fingers

Asbestosis Signs and Tests

When listening to the chest with a stethoscope, a doctor may detect a crackling sound. A thorough doctor will follow-up, performing the following tests that may lead to a definitive diagnosis of asbestosis:

Chest x-ray
Pulmonary function tests
CT scan of the lungs

Asbestosis Treatment

Asbestosis treatments are of a palliative nature because there is currently no cure for the inflammatory lung disease. Prevention of further asbestos exposure is essential. Supportive treatment of symptoms includes respiratory therapies to remove secretions from the lungs by postural drainage, chest percussion and vibration.

Aerosol medications designed to thin lung secretions may be prescribed to aid with postural drainage. Because asbestosis can cause a significant decrease in total lung capacity (TLC), oxygen therapy is often prescribed as a palliative treatment.

Asbestosis Support Groups

The stresses of the illness may be eased by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems.

Asbestosis Expectations - Prognosis

A patient's outcome depends upon duration and the extent of asbestos exposure. Put simply, those with less exposure have a much better chance of a longer life and less health complications than those with more exposure. Other factors such as age and lifestyle may also affect a patient's prognosis.

Complications of Asbestosis

Malignant mesothelioma cancer
Pleural effusion

Calling your health care provider

A health care provider should be contacted if exposure to asbestos is suspected or if unexplained symptoms occur.

Preventing Asbestosis

Early screening by chest x ray of people who are exposed to asbestos may help prevent asbestosis or the three types of malignant mesothelioma cancer.

Asbestosis and Malignant Mesothelioma

Asbestosis sufferers are at increased risk of developing a more serious type of asbestos disease such as asbestos lung cancer, asbestos larynx cancer or malignant mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of the asbestos diseases because it is both incurable and fatal.

There are three types of malignant mesothelioma cancer. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung (pleura), peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), and pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining surrounding the heart (pericardium). Sub-types, defined by their cell types, are epithelioid mesothelioma (the most common, and considered the most amenable to treatment), sarcomatoid mesothelioma or sarcomatous (a much more aggressive form), and biphasic or mixed mesothelioma (a combination of both of the other cell types).