Early Asbestosis Symptoms
Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral that was once used as insulation. It is now known to be toxic, causing serious illness such as asbestosis in people who work directly with it or products that contain it. Asbestosis, also known as "diffuse pulmonary fibrosis," is a condition of the lungs caused by lung scarring. It may not show any immediate symptoms, but 10 to 40 years down the line, severe lung problems may start to appear.
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Shortness of Breath
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Shortness of breath (dyspnea) is the the most common and, typically, the first symptom of asbestosis to appear. It may take 10 or more years for this symptom to actually show up, but when it happens, it progressively worsens. Shortness of breath may initially come after extreme exertion, but over time it may happen with hardly any effort due to scar tissue building up in the lungs. This symptom may become very distressing for the sufferer.
Persistent Cough
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A persistent cough is a symptom that often interferes with an asbestosis sufferer's ability to eat and sleep well. This cough may cause chest pain, and it often comes with increased sputum. Sputum may also be tinged with blood.
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Loss of Appetite
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Symptoms such as persistent cough may cause an asbestosis suffer to lose his appetite. Some victims have said that they have trouble with simple swallowing functions, causing eating to become painful. Loss of appetite may correlate with weight loss, another potential symptom of asbestosis.
Chest Tightness
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The scar tissue (fibrosis) that gradually builds up in the lungs of someone with asbestosis may cause the him to feel tightness in his chest. He may believe that he is suffering from a heart condition or even feel like he is having a heart attack, but this is not the case. The scar tissue that forms with asbestosis is not as pliable as regular lung tissue; therefore, it is not able to expand well with inhalation.
Clubbed Fingers
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Clubbing of fingers is a rare symptom that may present itself in advanced asbestosis stages. A finger is considered "clubbed" when the tip is thickened and the nail is curved. Someone with unexplained finger clubbing should get medical attention as soon as possible, because it often indicates a serious pulmonary disorder.
Outlook
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There is no cure for asbestosis, except by transplant of the lungs. Doctors can also provide symptom relief such as breathing medications and supplemental oxygen. Severe scar tissue formation may be addressed by surgical removal and biopsy. It is important to not ignore signs of asbestosis, as it can lead to other medical complications such as high blood pressure and, ultimately, heart failure. If you have a reason to suspect that you live or work around asbestos, remove yourself from the environment and do your research as soon as possible in order to avoid further lung damage down the road.
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