For those that are around asbestos, like miners, there has always been a higher risk of lung cancer. Especially a certain type of lung cancer called mesothelioma. However, there is another lung abnormality that asbestos workers get as well, which is called asbestosis. Asbestosis is the inflammation of the parenchymal tissue of the lungs. It will give the worker shortness of breath and a higher chance of lung cancer.

When someone inhales asbestos it will scar the lung tissue, this scarring causes the inflammation in the lung that is asbestosis. The asbestos fibers will activate the body's own natural immune system to attack, and this causes inflammation in the lung cavities. It is a slow and chronic condition. It contributes to scar tissue, which will build up and restrict the lungs from doing their job. It reduces the oxygen flow and inhibits carbon dioxide removal. This is where oxygen therapy can help with the breathing difficulties and the shortness of breath.

Asbestosis Symptoms

There are not many signs to having asbestosis other than shortness of breath. After a prolonged and advanced case of asbestosis there may be coughing and respiratory failure. Like mesothelioma, asbestosis can take a decade or so after first exposure to the asbestos. There can be a very long dormant period from exposure to symptoms, however whenever there is breathing and respiratory problems in anyone who has ever had exposure to asbestos should be considered viable hosts for asbestosis or mesothelioma.

Asbestosis Treatment

Currently there is not much treatment that is widely available for asbestosis. Some things that may help are oxygen therapy. Oxygen therapy can help with the breathing difficulties and increase the concentration of oxygen in the body.

Other items include postural drainage of the lungs to take out any liquid secretions and increase lung capacity and breathing. Some form of nebulizers, like those used in COPD and asthma sufferers, can also be prescribed so that the secretions in the lungs can be diluted and patients may be able to breathe better from this as well.

Because of so many asbestos related conditions such as asbestosis and mesothelioma, legal cases have been being fought in our courts since 1929. Liability for asbestos and working near asbestos is a serious business, in both the cost to companies that try to skirt the system and by the healthcare costs to their employees. Asbestos specialty lawyers command top dollar due to the payouts in those types of cases.

Learn more about this author, Tina Samuels.
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