What is Asbestosis?

Asbestosis is a very serious lung disease in which the lungs are permanently scarred from the breathing in of asbestos fibers. Exposure to asbestos in your home or at your place of work can lead to asbestosis. Also known as pulmonary fibrosis, asbestosis is a potentially fatal disease for which there is no known cure.

Significance

When you inhale asbestos fibers, they wind up in the air sacs of your lungs, where oxygen is sent into your bloodstream. This will cause your lungs' immune system to react, with white blood cells coming in and attacking the asbestos, trying to dissolve and break it down. The white blood cells cannot succeed with this task, and scar tissue is formed. The scar tissue builds up over time and impairs the lungs' ability to deliver oxygen to the body and eliminate carbon dioxide. This process is called fibrosis.

Effects

These effects from asbestosis will not show up for as long as 20 to 30 years. As the lung tissue becomes stiff from the scarring, you will finally start to exhibit symptoms of the disease since your lungs won't be able to expand and contract as they normally would. These signs include shortness of breath--even when you are resting--fatigue and tiredness, coughing and chest pain and finger clubbing, where the ends of the fingers become swollen and shiny.

Time Frame

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral in the environment, so everyone breathes in a certain amount of it. The small trace amounts rarely do any damage. People who are most at risk are those who have had a constant exposure to asbestos for 10 or more years, in professions related to asbestos such as mining, milling or installation of it. Although a brief exposure to asbestos will not cause asbestosis, it is still wise to keep away from any direct exposure to it.

Identification

To identify asbestosis in a patient, a doctor will order some tests called pulmonary function tests. These will determine lung capacity, or how much air your lungs are capable of holding, along with the airflow in and out of your lungs. Other tests will show how much oxygen is getting into your bloodstream. An X-ray of the chest will be ordered to detect scar tissue. A computerized tomography, known as a CT scan, can provide more details than an X-ray.

Prevention/Solution

There is no treatment that can reverse the effects of asbestosis on your lung tissue. However, there are things that can be done to keep things from getting worse. Ending any and all exposure to asbestos is the number one priority. If the patient smokes, he must immediately quit, since lung cancer and emphysema are real possibilities with asbestosis. Vaccinations for flu and pneumonia are necessary, as the patient will be at risk of those maladies. Supplemental oxygen can be administered, and lung transplants are an option in very severe circumstances.