How Is Asbestosis Treated?

An Incurable, Progressive Disease

There are no current actual treatments for asbestosis, which is a progressive disease. All that is available is therapy designed to help the symptoms of the disease and improve the patient's comfort level. This is done through chest percussion, combined with postural drainage, which focuses on positioning the patient in particular ways while pounding the person's chest and back in hopes of loosening the mucus that gathers in the diseased lungs.

Another way to loosen the lung secretions is to practice breathing exercises to help overcome the breathlessness associated with asbestosis. Also there are spray medications that can be used to help loosen the secretions and help the patient breathe easier. Many patients get some relief from wearing an oxygen mask or nose piece and breathing air from portable tanks used for travel purposes or the large oxygen tanks that can be used in the home. Portable nebulizers are also a good way to help clear up the mucus in the lungs to assist the patient with easier breathing.

Developing lung cancer along with asbestosis is not a great combination and will result in a greatly reduced lifespan so it is important to quit smoking as soon as possible upon diagnosis of asbestosis. Stopping the smoking will also make the disease a little more tolerable in the long run as it is one less thing to clog up the airways in the lungs. Avoiding asbestos exposure altogether is the absolute best way to assure that you will not acquire this painful and debilitating disease.