The Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos poses little risk unless the microscopic fibers become airborne. The most at risk include those working with asbestos, smokers, and those who have lung diseases that are pre-existing.
Second-hand exposure can be caused by workers bringing home asbestos particles in their shoes, clothing or hair, or by launderers who wash contaminated clothing. Family members also can be affected by this kind of exposure.
Signs and symptoms
Asbest releases fibers into the air when it is broken or disturbed. These fibers can be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibers may cause irritation to the lung tissue and get stuck in the lungs. This can lead to scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis. This can make it more difficult for CO2 and oxygen to enter and exit the lung. This can lead to serious and life-threatening health problems such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Asbestosis usually occurs due to heavy 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 can affect the linings of the chest cavity, lungs and the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed after 30 to 40 years of exposure and can be fatal.
Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should see their doctor for a physical exam. A doctor will determine whether further testing is required based on the patient's work history, along with other factors. This could include chest Xrays, a CT scan, mesothelioma or a lung function test.
An X-ray or chest CT scan can reveal changes in the lungs caused with asbestos exposure, but these changes are not always noticeable to the patient. These changes can be identified by specialists in asbestos-related diseases.
Since the signs of lung disease triggered by asbestos exposure can develop 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 include a shortness of breath and chest pain or belly or a persistent cough, weight loss and fever.
Those who have been exposed should receive an influenza vaccine as well as a pneumonia vaccination. This can help prevent respiratory infections that can exacerbate their health issues. It is also recommended to wash their hands frequently to reduce the chance of contracting an infection. They should be part of a support group for those suffering from asbestos-related diseases.
Treatment
Asbestos has been known to cause a myriad of health problems. The severity of these depends on the type of asbestos and how long a person was exposed to it. It can trigger respiratory diseases such as asbestosis or pleural effusions. It can also lead to mesothelioma, which is a rare cancer of the chest lining and abdomen. It can also cause cancers of the gastrointestinal system as well as kidneys.
Your physician will recommend treatments to manage symptoms and prevent complications, if you've been diagnosed as having an asbestos-related illness. The treatments could include procedures and medications like occupational therapists, pulmonary rehabilitation and lung transplants. You can also join support groups to discuss your symptoms.
People who have been exposed for many years to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma or lung cancer. Smokers are at greater risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses, since smoking cigarettes can cause irritation to lung. The latency period is the amount of time it takes for symptoms to appear.
The first signs of asbestos exposure are usually breathing problems and chest pain. The scarring of the lungs can result in breathing problems. As the disease advances symptoms can become more severe. The patient may become breathless when at rest. There is also the possibility of experiencing fever, fatigue and weight loss.
Asbestosis cannot be treated however certain treatments can help alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for those suffering from the disease. Doctors can prescribe aerosol medications to thin lung fluids, and those who has severe symptoms may receive oxygen via the nose through a tube.
Regular blood tests and X-rays can be used to monitor the condition and detect any potential complications. Exercise and a healthy diet can keep a person in good health. It is also crucial to try and not stress in order to avoid making the symptoms worse.
Diagnosis
The most commonly reported symptoms of asbestos exposure are difficulty in breathing. This is due to the fact that microscopic asbestos fibers can remain lodged in the lungs for years, even after the exposure has stopped. As the lungs were not designed to remove foreign materials and irritate the lungs, they aggravated over time. This condition is referred to as asbestosis, or pulmonary fibrous. The symptoms of asbestos poisoning can take up to forty years before they appear. This is why asbestos exposure is often not noticed by those who work in the field regularly.
When asbestos is released into the air, tiny fibers are able to be inhaled. The majority of the fibers will be transported through cough or mucus, but some will bypass the system and become lodged within the lungs. This can cause a number of ailments that affect the function of the lungs. This includes lung cancer and mesothelioma, a fatal cancer that targets the lining of organs internal to them known as the mesothelium.
Lung cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure can be difficult to diagnose in its early stages because it is often a sign of other illnesses such as chronic coughing, weight loss and chest pain. Additionally, the chance of lung cancer is increased the more one is exposed to asbestos and other carcinogens like cigarettes.
Asbestosis is usually diagnosed several years after the initial exposure. It is detected through a medical examination, work history, chest x-rays or CT scans, as well as blood tests for lung enzymes. People with asthma are at an increased risk of developing asbestosis.
The most severe asbestos-related illness is mesothelioma, which forms in the lung's lining as well as other organs within the body. It can also develop in the larynx and ovaries. People who have an asbestos-related history are at increased risk for this type of cancer, and other types of mesothelioma which target the stomach's lining and intestines. It can take a long time for mesothelioma's development. Therefore, it's essential that people with a history asbestos exposure undergo regular health checks.
Prevention
Many houses and buildings built before 1970 still contain asbestos pipes or floor tile. As long as these materials are not damaged, they do not pose a health risk. Only when they become damaged or degraded, they become a health hazard by releasing tiny asbestos fibers into the air which could be inhaled or ingested. The health risks are very high and it is essential to have asbestos materials that are suspected of being examined and tested or removed by professionals.
Asbestos fibers can only cause disease if they are inhaled or ingested and then lodged in the lung tissue. This can result in a variety of diseases, including mesothelioma lung cancer or asbestosis (scarring of the lung). These diseases usually don't show symptoms until many years after the initial exposure.
Asbestos-related illnesses are mostly caused by occupational exposure. Asbestos is present in a variety of occupations such as mine workers, insulation contractors, and construction workers. Even if workers are properly trained and are wearing personal protective equipment, they could be exposed to asbestos when the asbestos is damaged or disturbed in any way that releases the microscopic fibers into air.
Unlike other poisons, which often 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 may expose people to asbestos via the water pathway. This could result from contaminated water from natural land sources that are eroding or discarded mining or cement pipe. Ingestion can also occur due to the consumption of food that is contaminated such as clams or other seafood that has been cleaned with polluted water.
The greatest asbestos danger is to those engaged in the demolition or repair of structures that contain asbestos and to those who work with hazardous waste. The most at risk are those who were employed following the September 11 attacks on New York City, and those who are involved in rescue cleanup, recovery, or cleanup efforts. When working with asbestos it is recommended that people wear full-body protection clothing and wear a high-quality face mask. It is important that people working with asbestos have adequate ventilation.
Asbestos poses little risk unless the microscopic fibers become airborne. The most at risk include those working with asbestos, smokers, and those who have lung diseases that are pre-existing.
Second-hand exposure can be caused by workers bringing home asbestos particles in their shoes, clothing or hair, or by launderers who wash contaminated clothing. Family members also can be affected by this kind of exposure.
Signs and symptoms
Asbest releases fibers into the air when it is broken or disturbed. These fibers can be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibers may cause irritation to the lung tissue and get stuck in the lungs. This can lead to scarring of the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis. This can make it more difficult for CO2 and oxygen to enter and exit the lung. This can lead to serious and life-threatening health problems such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Asbestosis usually occurs due to heavy 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 can affect the linings of the chest cavity, lungs and the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed after 30 to 40 years of exposure and can be fatal.
Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should see their doctor for a physical exam. A doctor will determine whether further testing is required based on the patient's work history, along with other factors. This could include chest Xrays, a CT scan, mesothelioma or a lung function test.
An X-ray or chest CT scan can reveal changes in the lungs caused with asbestos exposure, but these changes are not always noticeable to the patient. These changes can be identified by specialists in asbestos-related diseases.
Since the signs of lung disease triggered by asbestos exposure can develop 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 include a shortness of breath and chest pain or belly or a persistent cough, weight loss and fever.
Those who have been exposed should receive an influenza vaccine as well as a pneumonia vaccination. This can help prevent respiratory infections that can exacerbate their health issues. It is also recommended to wash their hands frequently to reduce the chance of contracting an infection. They should be part of a support group for those suffering from asbestos-related diseases.
Treatment
Asbestos has been known to cause a myriad of health problems. The severity of these depends on the type of asbestos and how long a person was exposed to it. It can trigger respiratory diseases such as asbestosis or pleural effusions. It can also lead to mesothelioma, which is a rare cancer of the chest lining and abdomen. It can also cause cancers of the gastrointestinal system as well as kidneys.
Your physician will recommend treatments to manage symptoms and prevent complications, if you've been diagnosed as having an asbestos-related illness. The treatments could include procedures and medications like occupational therapists, pulmonary rehabilitation and lung transplants. You can also join support groups to discuss your symptoms.
People who have been exposed for many years to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma or lung cancer. Smokers are at greater risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses, since smoking cigarettes can cause irritation to lung. The latency period is the amount of time it takes for symptoms to appear.
The first signs of asbestos exposure are usually breathing problems and chest pain. The scarring of the lungs can result in breathing problems. As the disease advances symptoms can become more severe. The patient may become breathless when at rest. There is also the possibility of experiencing fever, fatigue and weight loss.
Asbestosis cannot be treated however certain treatments can help alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for those suffering from the disease. Doctors can prescribe aerosol medications to thin lung fluids, and those who has severe symptoms may receive oxygen via the nose through a tube.
Regular blood tests and X-rays can be used to monitor the condition and detect any potential complications. Exercise and a healthy diet can keep a person in good health. It is also crucial to try and not stress in order to avoid making the symptoms worse.
Diagnosis
The most commonly reported symptoms of asbestos exposure are difficulty in breathing. This is due to the fact that microscopic asbestos fibers can remain lodged in the lungs for years, even after the exposure has stopped. As the lungs were not designed to remove foreign materials and irritate the lungs, they aggravated over time. This condition is referred to as asbestosis, or pulmonary fibrous. The symptoms of asbestos poisoning can take up to forty years before they appear. This is why asbestos exposure is often not noticed by those who work in the field regularly.
When asbestos is released into the air, tiny fibers are able to be inhaled. The majority of the fibers will be transported through cough or mucus, but some will bypass the system and become lodged within the lungs. This can cause a number of ailments that affect the function of the lungs. This includes lung cancer and mesothelioma, a fatal cancer that targets the lining of organs internal to them known as the mesothelium.
Lung cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure can be difficult to diagnose in its early stages because it is often a sign of other illnesses such as chronic coughing, weight loss and chest pain. Additionally, the chance of lung cancer is increased the more one is exposed to asbestos and other carcinogens like cigarettes.
Asbestosis is usually diagnosed several years after the initial exposure. It is detected through a medical examination, work history, chest x-rays or CT scans, as well as blood tests for lung enzymes. People with asthma are at an increased risk of developing asbestosis.
The most severe asbestos-related illness is mesothelioma, which forms in the lung's lining as well as other organs within the body. It can also develop in the larynx and ovaries. People who have an asbestos-related history are at increased risk for this type of cancer, and other types of mesothelioma which target the stomach's lining and intestines. It can take a long time for mesothelioma's development. Therefore, it's essential that people with a history asbestos exposure undergo regular health checks.
Prevention
Many houses and buildings built before 1970 still contain asbestos pipes or floor tile. As long as these materials are not damaged, they do not pose a health risk. Only when they become damaged or degraded, they become a health hazard by releasing tiny asbestos fibers into the air which could be inhaled or ingested. The health risks are very high and it is essential to have asbestos materials that are suspected of being examined and tested or removed by professionals.
Asbestos fibers can only cause disease if they are inhaled or ingested and then lodged in the lung tissue. This can result in a variety of diseases, including mesothelioma lung cancer or asbestosis (scarring of the lung). These diseases usually don't show symptoms until many years after the initial exposure.
Asbestos-related illnesses are mostly caused by occupational exposure. Asbestos is present in a variety of occupations such as mine workers, insulation contractors, and construction workers. Even if workers are properly trained and are wearing personal protective equipment, they could be exposed to asbestos when the asbestos is damaged or disturbed in any way that releases the microscopic fibers into air.
Unlike other poisons, which often 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 may expose people to asbestos via the water pathway. This could result from contaminated water from natural land sources that are eroding or discarded mining or cement pipe. Ingestion can also occur due to the consumption of food that is contaminated such as clams or other seafood that has been cleaned with polluted water.
The greatest asbestos danger is to those engaged in the demolition or repair of structures that contain asbestos and to those who work with hazardous waste. The most at risk are those who were employed following the September 11 attacks on New York City, and those who are involved in rescue cleanup, recovery, or cleanup efforts. When working with asbestos it is recommended that people wear full-body protection clothing and wear a high-quality face mask. It is important that people working with asbestos have adequate ventilation.