It's True That The Most Common Asbestos Exposure Debate Isn't As Black And White As You Might Think

The Risks of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos poses little danger unless the microscopic fibers become airborne. The asbestos-related workers or smokers, as well as those with lung diseases are at the highest risk.

Second-hand exposure can result from workers bringing home asbestos particles in their shoes, clothing or hair, or launderers washing contaminated clothes. Family members can also suffer from this type of exposure.

Signs and symptoms

When asbestos breaks up or is disturbed, it releases tiny fibers into the air. These can be inhaled by people nearby. After inhalation, these fibers could cause irritation to lung tissue and become stuck in the lungs. This can cause scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. It can make it difficult for carbon dioxide and oxygen to flow into and out of the lungs. This can lead to life-threatening and serious problems such as asbestosis and lung cancer.

Asbestosis is usually caused by heavy exposure over a long period of time. The most commonly reported symptom is difficulty breathing. Other symptoms include chest pain, coughing and a bluish hue on the skin due to lack of oxygen. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that can affect the linings of the chest cavity, lungs and abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma is usually fatal and is typically diagnosed after 30-40 years of asbestos exposure.

A medical exam is recommended for people who have been exposed to asbestos. Based on the individual's work history and other factors, a doctor can decide whether further testing is needed. This could include chest X-rays or the CT scan, or a lung function test.

These changes may not be obvious to the patient, but can be identified by X-rays or chest CT scans. They can, however, be observed by physicians who specialize in asbestos-related diseases.

As the symptoms of lung disease triggered by asbestos exposure can manifest over many years and many people don't realize that they've been affected until it's too late. In addition to lung fibrosis, possible symptoms of asbestos exposure are shortness of breath and chest pain or belly, a persistent cough, fever and weight loss.

People who have been exposed to asbestos should receive the flu and pneumonia vaccine. This will help keep respiratory infections at bay, which could worsen their health. Hands should be cleaned often to decrease the risk of contracting an infection. They should be part of support groups for those suffering from asbestos-related illnesses.

Treatment

Asbestos can cause a myriad of health issues. The severity of these depends on the type of asbestos used and the length of time a person was exposed to it. It can trigger respiratory illnesses such as asbestosis and Pleural effusions. It is also a cause of mesothelioma, rare cancer that affects the linings of the chest and abdomen. It can also cause cancers of the gastrointestinal system as well as kidneys.

Your medical team will suggest treatment options to treat symptoms and prevent complications, if you've been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition. This could include medications and procedures, such as occupational therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation and lung transplantation. There are many support groups you can join to discuss your symptoms and concerns.

People who have been exposed for an extended period of time to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma or lung cancer. Smokers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses because smoking cigarettes can cause irritation to lungs. Latency period is the time it takes for symptoms to appear.

The first signs of asbestos exposure are often chest pain and breathlessness. These are a result of the scarring that damages the lungs and makes it hard to breathe. As  chances of getting mesothelioma from asbestos exposure  may worsen. One may become breathless when at the couch. There is also the possibility of fatigue, fever, and weight loss.

Asbestosis cannot be treated, but certain treatments can ease symptoms and improve the quality of life for sufferers. Doctors can prescribe aerosol medicine to thin the fluids in the lung. A person suffering from severe symptoms could receive oxygen through an in-nose tube.

Regular blood tests and X-rays can aid in monitoring the condition and identify any complications. It is essential to maintain an appropriate diet and exercise, as this can help keep one healthy. Stress can exacerbate symptoms and it is essential to avoid it.

Diagnosis

The most common symptom associated with asbestos exposure is difficulty breathing. This is because microscopic asbestos fibers can be buried in the lungs for a long time even after exposure has ended. Since the lungs weren't designed to remove foreign substances they developed irritation over time. This condition is referred to as asbestosis, or pulmonary fibrous. It could take up to 40 years for an individual to experience symptoms of asbestos poisoning. This is why asbestos exposure is often not noticed by those who work with it regularly.

The tiny fibers of asbestos can be breathed in when asbestos is released into air. The majority of the fibers will be transported by mucus or coughed, but some will bypass the system and lodge deep within the lung. This can cause a variety of ailments that affect lung function. This includes lung cancer and mesothelioma which is a deadly form of cancer that attacks the mesothelium lining of the organs.

In its initial stages, lung cancer caused by asbestos can be difficult to recognize because it can mimic other diseases, including chronic coughing, chest pain, and weight loss. The risk of developing lung cancer also increases with the amount of asbestos and other carcinogens that are in the air for example, tobacco smoke.

Asbestosis develops over a period of years following exposure to asbestos and is usually detected through a medical exam, work history, a chest xray or CT scan and tests for lung enzymes. Those with asthma may have an increased risk of developing asbestosis.

The most severe asbestos-related disease is mesothelioma. It forms in the linings of the lungs and internal organs. It can also form in the larynx and ovaries. People who have a history of exposure to asbestos are more likely to develop this kind of cancer as well as mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the intestines and stomach. It may take several years for mesothelioma's development. Therefore, it is essential that people with a history asbestos exposure go through regular health examinations.

Prevention

Many houses and buildings constructed before 1970 contain components like asbestos pipes or floor tiles that remain in good condition. As long as they aren't damaged, they do not pose a health risk. Only when they become damaged or become deteriorated do they become a health hazard through the release of tiny asbestos fibers into the air which can be breathed in and ingested. If this happens, the health risks are great and it's important to have any asbestos-related materials tested, inspected or removed by certified professionals.

Asbestos fibers are only a cause of disease when they are inhaled, consumed and then absorbed into lung tissue. This can cause diseases, including mesothelioma asbestosis or lung cancer (scarring of the lungs). Symptoms of these illnesses are usually not evident until years after initial exposure.

It is the main occupational exposure that can cause asbestos based diseases. Asbestos exposure can occur in many occupations including insulation contractors construction workers, asbestos abatement and maintenance and custodial workers. Even if workers are trained and using personal protective equipment, they may be exposed to asbestos if the material is disturbed or damaged in any way that allows the microscopic fibers into the air.

Unlike other poisons, which tend to have immediate effects the symptoms of asbestos-related diseases can take between 15 and 50 years to manifest after exposure. This is known as the latency period.

Rainwater can also expose individuals to asbestos via the water route. This could result from contaminated water caused by erosion of natural land sources or discarded mining or cement pipe. Ingestion can also happen by accident through the consumption of food items that are contaminated such as clams or other seafood, which have been sprayed down by the contaminated water.

The greatest asbestos threat is currently present for those who are involved in the demolition or repair of structures that could contain asbestos as well as those who handle contaminated waste. The most at risk are those who worked after the September 11 attacks in New York City and those involved in cleanup, rescue and recovery efforts. When working with asbestos, it is recommended that individuals wear full-body protection clothing and wear a high-quality face mask. It is crucial that those working with asbestos have adequate ventilation.