Asbestos Exposure: A Simple Definition
The Risks of Asbestos Exposure Asbestos poses no risk unless the microscopic fibers become airborne. The people who are at the highest risk include people working with asbestos, smokers and those with pre-existing lung diseases. Secondhand exposure can happen when workers bring home asbestos particles on their clothing, shoes and hair or through launderers washing contaminated work clothes. Family members also can be affected by this kind of exposure. Signs and symptoms When asbestos breaks up or is disturbed it releases tiny fibers into the air. These fibers can be inhaled by those around. Once inhaled these fibers can irritate the lung tissue and get stuck in the lung. Asbestosis or scarring of lung tissue can result. It can also make it difficult for carbon dioxide and oxygen to move through and out of the lung. This can cause serious and life-threatening problems like lung cancer and asbestosis. Asbestosis is usually caused by heavy exposure over a long period of time. The most frequent symptoms of asbestosis are difficulty breathing. Other symptoms include coughing, chest pain and a blue-tinged tinge on the skin from the lack of oxygen. Mesothelioma is a cancer that can be a threat to the linings of the chest cavity, lungs and abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma tends to be fatal and is typically diagnosed after 30-40 years of asbestos exposure. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should visit their doctor for a medical examination. A doctor will decide if additional testing is necessary in light of the patient's employment history, along with other factors. This could include chest X-rays, CT scans or lung function tests. An X-ray or a chest CT scan can detect changes in the lungs caused with asbestos exposure. However, these changes aren't always visible to the patient. They can however be detected by doctors who specialize in asbestos-related diseases. The signs of lung disease linked to asbestos exposure can take years to develop, which is why many people don't know they are affected until it is too late. In addition to lung fibrosis, other potential signs of asbestos exposure include a shortness of breath, pain in the chest or belly and a persistent cough. weight loss and fever. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should get a vaccine against pneumonia and flu. This can help keep respiratory infections at bay, which could make their health worse. Also, they should clean their hands regularly to reduce the risk of contracting a respiratory illness. They should be part of a support group for people who suffer from asbestos-related ailments. Treatment Asbestos can trigger a variety of health problems. The severity of the health problems is dependent on how long and what kind of asbestos a person has been exposed to. It can cause respiratory illnesses such as asbestosis and pleural effusions. It is also a cause of mesothelioma – rare cancer that affects the tissues of the chest and abdomen. It can also cause cancers of the gastrointestinal system as well as kidneys. Your medical team will suggest treatments to manage symptoms, and prevent complications, if you've been diagnosed as having an asbestos-related disease. These treatments can include procedures and medications like occupational therapists, pulmonary rehabilitation and lung transplants. There are also a variety of support groups that you can join to discuss your issues and concerns. People who have been exposed over an extended period of time to asbestos are at the risk of developing mesothelioma as well as lung cancer. Smokers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related ailments since smoking cigarettes causes irritation to the lungs. The symptoms of these health issues can take 10-20 years to develop, which is known as the latency. The initial signs of asbestos exposure are often chest pain and breathlessness. These are a result of the scarring that damages the lung and makes it difficult to breathe. As the disease progresses, symptoms could get worse and people can experience breathing problems even at the couch. They may also experience fever, fatigue and weight loss. Asbestosis cannot be treated However, certain treatments can help alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for sufferers. Doctors can prescribe aerosol medications to thin lung fluids, and patients with severe symptoms can receive oxygen through an in-nose tube. Regular blood tests and X rays can be used to track the condition and detect any issues. A healthy diet and exercise can keep one in good health. It is also important to avoid stress, as this can make the symptoms worse. Diagnosis The most commonly reported symptom of asbestos exposure is difficulty in breathing. This is due to the fact that microscopic asbestos fibers can stay in the lungs for a long time, even after the exposure has ended. Because the lungs were not designed to remove foreign substances and irritate the lungs, they aggravated over time. This condition is known as asbestosis, also known as pulmonary the disease fibrosis. The symptoms of asbestos poisoning can take up to forty years before they appear. This is the reason asbestos exposure can go unnoticed by those who work with it regularly. When asbestos is released into the air, tiny fibers can be breathed in. The majority of the fibers will be transported through cough or mucus however some will escape the system and lodge deep within the lung. This could lead to a number of ailments that affect the function of the lungs. This includes lung cancer as well as mesothelioma – a deadly cancer that targets organ linings called the mesothelium. In its initial stages, lung cancer caused by asbestos can be difficult to recognize because it can be a symptom of other illnesses, such as chronic coughing, chest pain, and weight loss. Additionally, the chance of lung cancer is increased the more a person is exposed to asbestos and other carcinogens such as cigarette smoke. Asbestosis develops over the course of several years after initial exposure and is usually detected through a medical exam, background information, a chest x-ray or CT scan, and tests for lung enzymes. Asthmatics may be at a higher-risk of developing asbestosis. The most serious asbestos-related disease is mesothelioma, which forms in the lung's lining and other internal organs. It can also occur in the larynx or ovaries. People who have an asbestos-related history are at a higher risk of developing this type of cancer along with other forms of mesothelioma, which attack the lining of the stomach and the intestines. Mesothelioma usually takes many years to develop, so it is crucial for those with a history of asbestos exposure to have routine health exams. The following is a list of preventions. Many homes and buildings built prior to 1970 have materials such as asbestos pipes or floor tiles that remain in good condition. They generally are safe as long as they remain undisturbed. They pose an health risk when they're damaged or deteriorated. This is due to the release of microscopic asbestos fibres into the air, which can then be inhaled or consumed. If this occurs, the health hazards are great and it's important to have any suspected asbestos materials tested, inspected or removed by a qualified professional. Asbestos fibers are only a cause of disease if inhaled, ingested and then absorbed into lung tissue. This can result in a variety of diseases, including mesothelioma asbestosis, or lung cancer (scarring of the lungs). These diseases usually don't show symptoms until a long time after the initial exposure.
Asbestos-related diseases are primarily caused by occupational exposure. Asbestos is present in a variety of jobs such as mine workers, insulation contractors, and construction workers. Even if Amarillo asbestos attorneys are properly trained and using personal protective equipment, they can still be exposed when the material is disturbed or damaged in any way to release the microscopic fibers into air. The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may develop between 15 and fifty years after exposure. This is called the latency period. Rainwater can also expose individuals to asbestos through the water pathway. This could be due to water that is contaminated from natural land sources that are eroding or discarded mining or cement pipe. Ingestion can also occur through the consumption contaminated food like clams, or other seafood that have been cleaned with contaminated water. The greatest asbestos danger is to those engaged in the demolition or repair of structures that may contain it and to those who work with contaminated waste. The most at risk are those who worked after the September 11 attacks on New York City, and those involved in rescue, recovery, and cleanup efforts. When working with asbestos, it is recommended that people wear protective clothing for their entire body and use a high-quality face mask. It is important that people working with asbestos are adequately ventilated.