Asbestosis Cancer

Asbestosis is one of the common diseases appearing in people that have been exposed to a certain amount of friable asbestos. It is a disease that affects the lung tissue. Asbestos fibers from the dust inhaled reach that area of the lung and create scar tissue.

Asbestosis disease caused by asbestos

As mentioned above, asbestosis is caused by asbestos (hence the name of the disease). It is more common than mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases. Some people think about asbestosis as a cancer when, in fact, it is far from that. It is true that mesothelioma can appear if asbestosis is left untreated, but this is so rare that experts consider that the two diseases are not linked at all by other than the fact that they are both created by asbestos.

Asbestosis symptoms

Most of the asbestosis symptoms you will encounter with asbestosis are linked to the breathing apparatus, and they include:

  • Shortness of breath (if the disease evolves, this may lead to a respiratory failure)
  • Chest pain
  • Fatigue after even the smallest of physical efforts

Don’t forget that symptoms of asbestosis are not specific to this disease alone. They are common to many other types of diseases that have nothing to do with asbestos.

Asbestosis staging

Experts have split the evolution of asbestosis in four stages. These stages are as follows:

  • Pre-early stage (this is the initial period of the development of the asbestos disease, when the first scar tissue appears. Usually, at this stage, the disease is not detectable)
  • Early stage (at this stage the disease and the scarring in the lungs can be detected by the use of x-ray)
  • Middle stage (in this third stage of asbestosis development the damage to the lungs is already very high)
  • Late stage (the final stage of development, lung damage is so extensive that breathing is almost impossible. Coughing blood and swelling of the extremities is a certainty)

Asbestosis treatment

Asbestos SurgeonsUnfortunately, asbestosis is not curable. Getting a diagnosis early does help on the long run because it helps the doctor treat the most uncomfortable asbestosis symptoms. The best treatment available is to completely avoid asbestos products or at least wear appropriate protective equipment. Nevertheless, after the lung has been damaged, palliative measures remain the only treatment available, as surgery is recommended only in particular circumstances.

Asbestosis prognosis

This largely depends on how soon the disease has been discovered. As far as lung diseases go, asbestosis is probably one of the most severe of them. Prognosis for asbestosis patients varies between 6 and 48 months. Prognosis for asbestosis also depends on how the patient reacts to certain treatment methods.

Asbestos Law

Asbestosis claims should be made only in wrongful exposure situations. After the trial you should be awarded with an important amount as compensation. All this will require the professional expertise of a specialized asbestos lawyer.
 

Do not hesitate contact an asbestos professional for help, requesting information. This is completely free.