Asbestosis Or Asbestos Lung: Signs And Symptoms

Asbestosis is mostly caused by inhaling asbestos dust in the workplace, but this material is still present in many old residential buildings. It often takes years for symptoms to appear. Find out more about this topic today. 

As  asbestosis or asbestos lung is called a pulmonary disease caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust. Asbestos was used as a building material for years, for example in cement, roof coverings, in plaster, tile adhesive or window putty.

Asbestos releases fibers that can cause various health problems, including cancer in different areas of the body. Asbestosis is the most common consequence, although the risk of a lung tumor for those affected is significantly higher. 

Asbestos lung is classified as an occupational disease because asbestos is usually found in building materials and is used in industrial activities.

What are the risks of asbestos?

Asbestos is a collective name for a group of six natural minerals that  have excellent properties for construction. In addition, these minerals are also used for car brakes, in shipbuilding and for various textile products.

Asbestos is fireproof and heat resistant. It also withstands various chemical substances and has insulating properties. All of these characteristics have resulted in this material being widely used in industry.

There are basically three types of asbestos that cause disease:

• Chrysotile
• Crocidolite
• Amosite

When an asbestos product releases fibers or asbestos dust and  someone inhales these particles, they become lodged in the lungs and remain there for a long time. The accumulation of asbestos dust causes swellings and scars, which can severely impair the respiratory function. Asbestos is a carcinogenic substance, which means that it can cause cancer.

Asbestosis or asbestos lung

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease that  – as already mentioned – is triggered by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. It is a type of pulmonary fibrosis. This leads to swelling and gradually permanent lung damage.

Asbestos is also naturally present in the environment and we are all exposed to the fibers in certain situations. But with regular inhalation over a longer period of time, the risk is far greater. 

Researchers have found that  short exposure can also cause various diseases when the volume of asbestos dust is large. In both cases, however, symptoms may not show up until 10 to 40 years after inhaling asbestos fibers.

Asbestosis: signs and symptoms

Difficulty breathing is one of the main symptoms of asbestosis and is usually accompanied by an insistent dry cough. The symptoms worsen with intense physical activity and sport. Over time, too, they become more haunted.

Often there is also pain or a feeling of pressure in the chest area. In addition, over time, people lose their appetite and lose weight. One of the most distinctive signs of this disease is a disorder known as acorpachia.

This results in rare, chunky swellings of the phalanges of the fingers or toes. This thickening of the soft tissue is reminiscent of the drumstick fingers,  with the nails bending downwards and taking on an inverted spoon shape.

Acropachia is always present in asbestos lung, but it can also occur with other lung diseases. The diagnosis cannot be confirmed until all appropriate clinical examinations have been completed. 

Asbestosis: dates to consider

The signs and symptoms can vary widely in each person. In some cases, the symptoms are very mild, while other people develop serious problems such as respiratory failure or cancer. In general, the clinical picture in smokers is more serious and associated with more severe symptoms.

It is important that anyone who has been exposed to asbestos or thinks they have inhaled asbestos dust inform their doctor. They will then order a chest x-ray or high-resolution computed tomography  scan to assess the effects of asbestos exposure. However, it should not be forgotten that it often takes a long time before the first symptoms appear.

There is currently no specific treatment for asbestos lung. In each individual case, the prognosis depends on a wide variety of factors, for example the general state of health, the exposure time, the type of asbestos, etc. The greatest risk is in the form of mesothelioma, which is a diffusely growing tumor.