How to Recognize Asbestosis

While Asbestosis is incurable, recognizing the symptoms of the disease can help increase your longevity and minimize the potential complications of this disease. Understanding the risk factors and symptoms can help you work with your doctor for an early diagnosis and will enable the best treatment options available.

Instructions

1. Have regular physical examinations, especially if you have been exposed to Asbestos, which can cause diseases like Asbestosis, lung cancer and Mesothelioma. Speak to your doctor about any concerns regarding your health.

2. Pay attention to respiratory symptoms that may be a sign of Asbestosis. These symptoms can be similar to other respiratory disorders such as asthma. Symptoms include: chronic cough, shortness of breath, inability to exert oneself physically, pain in the chest and sometimes clubbing or rounding of the finger tips can also occur.

3. Consider whether or not you may have been exposed to asbestos fibers either in the past or on an ongoing basis. If you worked in an industry that involved your being exposed to airborne asbestos fibers, there is a greater chance that Asbestosis or other lung diseases can occur. You could also be in danger of developing these diseases if you have done major renovation on your home and disturbed asbestos fibers as well. Asbestosis and other related diseases can take many years to present symptoms.

4. Ask your physician for screening for lung diseases. Screening for asbestosis can include: chest X-rays, CT scans and pulmonary function testing to determine whether pleural plaque, tumors and scar tissue exists. Testing can determine if you have Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, lung cancer or other respiratory diseases.

Tips & Warnings

• Reduce your risk factors of developing this disease or by allowing it to progress further by preventing known exposure to asbestos, by smoking cessation and by regular examinations by your doctor.

• If diagnosed with Asbestosis or if you suspect it will develop at some point due to repeated or prolonged asbestos exposure, Ask your physician for preventative measures regarding your respiratory health including flu and pneumonia vaccinations

• If you believe your respiratory disease was caused through the gross negligence of an employer, consider seeking legal counsel to help you recoup financial loss and medical expenses.

• Repeated exposure to asbestos after you have been diagnosed with a respiratory disease will enable the disease to progress rapidly.