Asbestosis is a disease of the respiratory system caused by inhalation of dust containing asbestos, also known as asbestos, which usually occurs in people who perform functions that expose them to this substance, which can lead to chronic pulmonary fibrosis, which can be reversed.
Left untreated, asbestosis can cause mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer, which can occur 20 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos and increase the risk in smokers. Know what the symptoms of mesothelioma are and how treatment goes.
- Asbestos fibers.
- When inhaled for an extended period of time.
- Can stay in the pulmonary alveoli and cause the healing of the tissues that line the inside of the lungs.
- These scar tissues do not expand or contract.
- Lose their elasticity and.
- As a result.
- Cause breathing difficulties and other complications.
In addition, cigarette use appears to increase the retention of asbestos fibers in the lungs, resulting in faster disease progression.
The most characteristic symptoms of asbestosis are shortness of breath, chest pain and tightness, dry cough, loss of appetite with consequent weight loss, stress intolerance and increased distal phalanges of fingers and nails. To perform daily tasks, the person must make a much greater effort, feeling very tired.
Progressive destruction of the lungs can lead to pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, pleural effusion and, in more severe cases, cancer.
Diagnosis can be made by chest x-ray, which shows slight opacity in case of asbestosis. CT scans may also be used, allowing for much more detailed analysis of the lungs.
There are also tests that evaluate lung function, such as spirometry, which measures a person’s respiratory capacity.
Treatment usually involves immediately stopping asbestos exposure, controlling symptoms, and eliminating secretions from the lungs, to slow disease progression.
Oxygen can also be given by inhalation, through a mask, to facilitate breathing.
If your symptoms are very severe, a lung transplant may be necessary. See when the lung transplant is indicated and how recovery is performed.