The Risks of Asbestos Exposure Asbestos poses little risk unless the microscopic fibers become airborne. The asbestos-related workers smokers, asbestos workers, and those with lung diseases are at risk the most. Second-hand exposure can result from workers bringing home asbestos particles in their clothing, shoes or hair, or laundering facilities that wash their clothes with asbestos. This type of exposure may also affect family members. Symptoms When asbestos is broken up or is disturbed it releases tiny fibers into the air. They can be breathed in. When inhaled these fibers may become stuck in the lungs and irritate the lung tissue. This can lead to scarring of the lungs, called asbestosis. This can also make it more difficult for CO2 and oxygen to flow into and out of the lung. This can cause serious and life-threatening issues such as asbestosis and lung cancer. Asbestosis usually occurs due to prolonged exposure over a long period of time. The most frequent sign of asbestosis is difficulty breathing. Other symptoms include coughing, chest pain and a bluish tint on the skin due to the lack of oxygen. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lung's lining and chest cavity (pleura) or the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), can occur in asbestos-exposed individuals. Mesothelioma tends to be fatal and is typically diagnosed after 30-40 years of asbestos exposure. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should consult their doctor for a physical exam. Based on the person's employment background and other factors, doctors can determine whether additional tests are needed. This could include chest X rays, CT scans or lung function tests. A chest CT scan can reveal changes in the lungs caused with asbestos exposure, but these changes aren't always evident to the patient. These changes can be identified by doctors who are experts in asbestos-related diseases. The signs of lung disease linked to asbestos exposure can take years to develop, so many people don't know they're affected until it is too late. In addition to lung fibrosis, potential signs of asbestos exposure include shortness of breath and chest pain or belly and a persistent cough. fever and weight loss. People who have been exposed to the flu should receive an influenza vaccine as well as a pneumonia vaccination. This will help prevent respiratory infections that can worsen their health problems. They should also wash hands often to decrease the risk of contracting an infection. They should also join support groups for people suffering from asbestos-related diseases. Treatment Asbestos can cause a number of health problems. The severity of the health issues is determined by the length of time and the type of asbestos a person has been exposed to. It can cause respiratory diseases such as asbestosis and pleural effusions. It is also a cause of mesothelioma - a rare cancer that affects the tissues of the chest and abdomen. It can also cause cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. Your doctor will recommend treatment options to control symptoms and prevent complications, if you've been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition. These treatments may include procedures and medications like occupational therapists, pulmonary rehabilitation and lung transplants. You can also join support groups to discuss your health issues. People who have been exposed to asbestos over many years are at risk of developing a range of health conditions including mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as asbestosis. Smokers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses, since cigarette smoke irritates lungs. The symptoms of these health issues may take between 10 and 20 years to develop, which is known as the latency. The initial signs of asbestos exposure include chest pain and breathlessness. They are caused by the scarring that causes damage to the lungs and makes it hard to breathe. As the condition progresses, symptoms may get worse and people can become breathless even at the couch. They might also experience fatigue, fever and weight loss. lawsuit asbestos is not curable, but certain treatments can alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for sufferers. Doctors can prescribe aerosol medications to thin lung fluids and a person who has severe symptoms may receive oxygen through the nose through a tube. Regular blood tests and X rays can be used to track the condition, and to identify any potential complications. It is essential to maintain an exercise routine and a healthy diet to keep one healthy. Stress can trigger symptoms and it is essential to stay clear of it. Diagnosis The most common symptom of asbestos exposure is difficulty in breathing. This is because microscopic asbestos fibers can remain lodged in the lungs for a long time even after exposure has stopped. The lungs are not designed to get rid of these foreign materials, so they become damaged and irritated over time. This condition is known as asbestosis or pulmonary fibrous. The symptoms of asbestos poisoning can take as long as forty years before they appear. This is why asbestos exposure can go unnoticed by those who work with it regularly. The tiny asbestos fibers can be breathed in when asbestos is released into air. Most of these will be carried out or absorbed into a layer of mucus. However, certain types will escape this system and become lodged in the lungs. This could lead to a number of conditions that affect lung function. These include lung cancer as well as mesothelioma, which is a fatal cancer that attacks the lining of internal organs, also known as the mesothelium. In its early stages, lung cancer caused by asbestos is difficult to identify because it can be a symptom of other illnesses, such as chronic chest pain, coughing and weight loss. Additionally, the risk of lung cancer is increased the more one is exposed to asbestos and other carcinogens, such as cigarette smoke. Asbestosis is usually diagnosed several years after exposure. It is detected through a medical examination, work history, chest x-rays or CT scans, and tests for lung enzymes in the blood. Asthmatics may be at a higher-risk of developing asbestosis. The most serious asbestos-related disease is mesothelioma. It develops in the lining of the lungs and other organs within the body. It can also occur in the larynx or ovaries. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure are at a higher risk of developing this type of cancer as well as other types of mesothelioma that target the stomach lining and intestines. Mesothelioma usually takes many years to develop, so it is important for those who have an asbestos-related history to have regular health examinations. Prevention Many homes and buildings built prior to 1970 have materials such as asbestos pipes or floor tiles that remain in good condition. As long as these materials are not disturbed, they are not a health risk. Only when these materials are damaged or degraded, they pose a health risk by releasing tiny asbestos fibers into the air that can be inhaled and consumed. The health risks are extremely high and it is important to have asbestos materials that are suspected of being to be inspected, tested, or removed by professionals. Asbestos fibers can only cause disease when inhaled or ingested, and then are absorbed into the lung tissue. This can cause several diseases including mesothelioma (lung cancer), asbestosis (scarring on the lung) and many more. These conditions usually don't manifest symptoms until many years after the initial exposure. Asbestos-related diseases are typically caused by occupational exposure. Asbestos can be found in a variety of occupations which include mine workers, insulation contractors, and construction workers. Workers may still be exposed to asbestos even though they wear personal protective equipment and are properly trained. In contrast to other poisons, which often have immediate effects, the symptoms of asbestos-related diseases can take between 15 and 50 years to develop after exposure. This is known as the latency period. In addition to occupational exposure, it is also possible for people to be exposed through the water system by drinking water contaminated with asbestos due to erosion of natural land resources, or as a result of mill tailings from mining or mines that have been discarded or disintegration of asbestos cement pipes carried by rainwater. Ingestion can also happen by accident through the consumption of contaminated food like clams and other seafood, which have been sprayed down by contaminated water. Today, the most significant asbestos danger is to those who are involved in the demolition or repair of structures that may contain asbestos and to those who work with contaminated waste. The most vulnerable are those who worked after the September 11 attacks on New York City, and those who are involved in rescue cleanup, recovery, and rescue efforts. It is recommended that individuals wear full-body protective clothing and use a high quality face mask when working with asbestos. It is essential that people working with asbestos are adequately ventilated.
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