The Signs and Symptoms of Asbestos Inhalation
Asbestos is a mineral product that was once commonly used in building insulation, cement and vinyl flooring because of its heat and corrosion resistant properties. Asbestos inhalation may lead to a breathing condition called asbestosis or pulmonary fibrosis. Asbestos fibers can accumulate in the lungs and cause serious tissue scarring. Symptoms of asbestos inhalation generally do not appear until many years after repeated exposure. Typically, those individuals who develop asbestosis are those who worked with and around items containing asbestos prior to stringent governmental restrictions. Symptoms of asbestosis may range from rather mild to quite severe.
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Breathing Difficulties
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Individuals with asbestosis develop gradually increasing breathing problems. The continual damage caused by asbestos inhalation causes the lungs to become stiff over time. One may experience shortness of breath that in the beginning may mostly occur with physical exertion but could eventually tend to occur at any time. Breathing may also be shallow and rapid at times. Breathing difficulties may limit the affected individual's ability to perform physical tasks.
Chest Pain
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Some individuals may experience chest pain. The pain may be felt at all times or may be worse when inhaling air.
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Coughing
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Many individuals with asbestosis may develop a persistent cough. The cough will be dry and probably will not respond to typical cough remedies. Those individuals who also smoke cigarettes may cough up mucus and may have wheezing along with their coughing.
Finger and Toe Deformity
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Some individuals will develop a finger deformity called clubbing. Clubbing is generally caused by diseases that deprive the body of adequate amounts of oxygen. Clubbing is characterized by an overgrowth of flesh under the fingernails or toenails. Clubbing usually causes the nails to turn downward into the skin.
Other Symptoms
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Individuals with asbestosis or pulmonary fibrosis may experience weight loss. Also, their various muscles and joints may ache. The skin may have a bluish tint due to a lack of oxygen circulating in the blood. Eventually, asbestosis may lead to heart problems and even right-side heart failure.
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