Asbestosis and Related Disease
Long-term exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to an accumulation of these fibers in your lungs. This build-up can scar the lung tissue, causing a non-cancerous condition called asbestosis. As the scarring worsens, the lung tissue becomes stiff, unable to expand and contract normally. This makes breathing difficult and inefficient.
Symptoms
It often takes 20-30 years of exposure to asbestos for the symptoms of asbestosis to develop. These symptoms, similar to those of other respiratory diseases, may include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Persistent cough
- Fatigue upon physical activity
- Shortness of breath
Once these symptoms actually appear, they can progress rapidly, leading to disability or even death.
Diagnosis
If your doctor suspects that you may be at risk for asbestosis, he or she will likely conduct a detailed physical examination, including a chest x-ray and a lung function test. Although the chest x-ray cannot detect asbestos fibers, it can identify the presence of asbestosis. Your doctor may also order a CT scan, which provides a more detailed picture of your lungs. CT scans can detect asbestosis at an earlier stage.
Treatment
Once present, asbestosis cannot be cured. Steps can be taken, however, to ease the symptoms and to prevent progression of the disease. Once you are diagnosed with asbestosis, it is essential that you have no further exposure to asbestos. With further asbestos inhalation, the disease can progress rapidly, often becoming life threatening.
Complications
It is possible for asbestosis to lead to other medical problems. These possible complications include:
- High blood pressure in the lungs
- Lung cancer
- Heart damage
Related Disease
Asbestos exposure also increases your risk of developing pleural plaques and pleural thickening. These non-malignant disorders of the pleura, or lining of the lung, often appear 20 to 30 years following the asbestos exposure. Pleural plaques are localized areas of scarring or thickening on the lining of the lung. They are common following asbestos exposure and usually cause symptoms only if they are extensive in nature. Pleural thickening is a more widespread scarring of the lining of the lungs. It can cause shortness of breath. If you have developed pleural plaques or pleural thickening, you are at an increased risk of developing other asbestos-related lung diseases.
You Have a Voice
If you or a family member is at risk for asbestosis or another asbestos-related disease,, there is hope. At Ward Black Law, we work hard to get our asbestos clients the compensation they need to address their medical needs and provide for their families. We exist to give a voice to ordinary people facing extraordinary struggles. Contact us today for a free consultation.
