health care  
All about asbestosis asbestos causes of asbestosis asbestosis symptoms asbestosis diagnosis asbestosis treatment prevention of asbestosis

What is asbestosis?

Asbestosis is a chronic progressive disease that requires high exposures to asbestos over prolonged periods of time and is characterised pathologically by interstitial fibrosis and asbestos bodies. Asbestosis is a consequence of prolonged exposure to large quantities of asbestos, a material once widely used in construction, insulation, and manufacturing. When asbestos is inhaled, fibers penetrate the breathing passages and irritate, fill, inflame, and scar lung tissue. In advanced

asbestosis,, the lungs shrink, stiffen, and become honeycombed (riddled with tiny holes).

Asbestos is a mineral that can be woven like wool. Asbestos is a natural mineral product known to be resistant to heat and corrosion. Its fibers, which are strong and flexible, are easily woven together and were used extensively in the past in the building and manufacturing industries. Some of its more common uses were in pipe and duct insulation, fire-retardant materials, brake and clutch linings, cement, and some vinyl floor tiles.

Asbestosis is a progressive disease: as the scarring of the lungs gets worse, the lungs' vital capacity continues to decrease. Asbestosis can cause severe shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and lead to heart problems. Asbestosis may also be present in people suffering from asbestos-caused cancers such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, although asbestosis does not develop into these or any other form of cancer. Asbestosis, as with all other asbestos-related diseases, is a latent disease. This means that asbestosis typically develops many years after a person's initial exposure to asbestos. The latency period for asbestosis is typically 15 or more years after initial exposure, but can be sooner or later than that time period.

People most likely to develop asbestosis are those who've been exposed to it for a long time. Most people with asbestosis acquired it on the job before the federal government began regulating the use of asbestos and asbestos products in the mid-1970s. Today, its handling is strictly regulated by federal, state and local government agencies. Still, since the 1940s, up to 10 million people may have been exposed to asbestos. Asbestosis is most common in men over 40 who have worked in asbestos-related occupations. Smokers or heavy drinkers have the greatest risk of developing this disease.

More information on asbestosis

What is asbestosis? - Asbestosis is a chronic progressive disease characterised pathologically by interstitial fibrosis and asbestos bodies.
What is asbestos? - Asbestos is a natural mineral product known to be resistant to heat and corrosion. Asbestos causes cancer in the pleura, called mesothelioma.
What causes asbestosis? - Asbestosis is caused by long-term inhalation of asbestos fibers. There is an increased risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma associated with asbestosis.
What're the symptoms of asbestosis? - Symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath following exercise or other physical activity, dry cough and a generalized feeling of illness.
How is asbestosis diagnosed? - Diagnosis of asbestosis dependends on a good and accurate clinical history taking. Occupational exposure to asbestosis is critical to the diagnosis.
What's the treatment for asbestosis? - The goal of treatment for asbestosis is to help patients breathe more easily, prevent colds and respiratory infections, and control complications of asbestosis.
How to prevent asbestosis? - Anyone who works with asbestos should wear a protective mask or a hood with a clean-air supply and obey recommended procedures to control asbestos dust.
Respiratory & lung diseases Mainpage

Topics in respiratory and lung diseases

Lung diseases
Occupational lung diseases
Respiratory infections
Respiration disorders
Broncheal diseases
Pleural diseases
Lung transplant

Featured articles on respiratory and lung diseases

COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Lung cancer
Pulmonary hypertension
Cystic fibrosis
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
