The tissue damage from dust diseases such as asbestosis and silicosis cannot be reversed, but there are several ways to prevent further damage and reduce current symptoms. Because damaged lung tissue is more likely to contract lung diseases such as pneumonia or the flu, your doctor can give you vaccinations for certain strains to prevent infection. If you develop high blood pressure in your lungs (pulmonary hypertension), your doctor can prescribe you medication to treat it. To treat breathing difficulties, doctors can drain fluid from your lungs and prescribe medication or oxygen supplementation. Some mild cases of silicosis have been treated with a lung lavage, in which a lung is filled with a saline solution and washed out. For more severe cases of dust disease, a lung transplant may be necessary.
Asbestosis & Dust Diseases
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Parkland Medical Center answeredDust diseases such as asbestosis and silicosis can make you more susceptible to infections and can cause various forms of lung cancer, especially combined with smoking. Particles of asbestos and silica are difficult to break down because they are so long, so your defense cells (macrophages) are forced to leak an enzyme that causes lung scarring. This also damages the macrophages and weakens your immune response to infectious diseases such as pneumonia and the flu. Dust diseases can also cause lung cancer, especially in smokers. Asbestosis has also been associated with a rare form of lung cancer called pleural malignant mesothelioma, which occurs in the tissue enveloping the lungs. Mesothelioma can cause difficulty breathing, a buildup of fluid in the lungs, heart problems, and even death. -
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Parkland Medical Center answeredFinger deformity, or clubbing, can be a symptom of the dust disease asbestosis, in which lung scarring prevents normal expansion and contraction of the lungs. Finger clubbing is characterized by fingers that become thicker or wider. You should see your doctor immediately for treatment, especially if finger clubbing is accompanied by shortness of breath or cough. Incidents of finger clubbing are not associated with the dust disease silicosis, though.
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Parkland Medical Center answeredAsbestosis is a breathing disorder that is caused by inhaling microscopic particles of asbestos, an insulating material. This disease can cause the lung tissue to become scarred and inflamed. This disease develops over many years, so you may not experience symptoms right away.
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Parkland Medical Center answered
Asbestos is the name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally in the environment as bundles of fibers that can be separated into thin, durable threads. These fibers are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals and do not conduct electricity. For these reasons, asbestos has been used widely in many industries.
Chemically, asbestos minerals are silicate compounds, meaning they contain atoms of silicon and oxygen in their molecular structure.
Asbestos minerals are divided into two major groups: Serpentine asbestos and amphibole asbestos. Serpentine asbestos includes the mineral chrysotile, which has long, curly fibers that can be woven. Chrysotile asbestos is the form that has been used most widely in commercial applications. Amphibole asbestos includes the minerals actinolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, and amosite. Amphibole asbestos has straight, needle-like fibers that are more brittle than those of serpentine asbestos and are more limited in their ability to be fabricated.
This answer is based on source information from the National Cancer Institute.
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Parkland Medical Center answered
A thorough physical examination, including a chest x-ray and lung function tests, may be recommended. The chest x-ray is currently the most common tool used to detect asbestos-related diseases. However, it is important to note that chest x-rays cannot detect asbestos fibers in the lungs, but they can help identify any early signs of lung disease resulting from asbestos exposure.
Studies have shown that computed tomography (CT) (a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles; the pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine) may be more effective than conventional chest x-rays at detecting asbestos-related lung abnormalities in individuals who have been exposed to asbestos.
A lung biopsy, which detects microscopic asbestos fibers in pieces of lung tissue removed by surgery, is the most reliable test to confirm the presence of asbestos-related abnormalities. A bronchoscopy is a less invasive test than a biopsy and detects asbestos fibers in material that is rinsed out of the lungs. It is important to note that these tests cannot determine how much asbestos an individual may have been exposed to or whether disease will develop. Asbestos fibers can also be detected in urine, mucus, or feces, but these tests are not reliable for determining how much asbestos may be in an individual's lungs.
This answer is based on source information from the National Cancer Institute.
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Parkland Medical Center answered
Asbestosis and dust disease are lung disorders caused by the frequent inhalation of dangerous outside factors. Asbestosis is caused by an accumulation of asbestos fibers in the lungs. Before the government's regulation of asbestos in the 1970's, it was valued in the construction industry for its resistance to fire. Dust disease includes both asbestosis and the more common silicosis, which is caused by a buildup of silica or silicate particles in the lungs. Particles of silica dust can be created by any destruction of rock particles such as sand blasting or mining. Both diseases can cause scarring of the lungs and even lung cancer.
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Parkland Medical Center answered
Dust diseases such as asbestosis and silicosis permanently scar the lungs and are caused by frequently inhaling particles of minerals. The minerals that cause asbestosis are fibers of asbestos, which can be found in older buildings. Because of its resistance to fire, asbestos material was frequently used to make insulation, cement, some floor tiles, and other fire-proof materials. In the 1970's, the United States government started regulating the use of asbestos material, but it can still be found in older buildings. Silicosis is caused by inhaling particles of silica (quartz), which are created by the destruction of stone material. For example, silica particles can be released into the air during sand blasting, mining, or some crafts such as glass making, ceramics, or pottery.
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Parkland Medical Center answeredSymptoms of dust diseases such as asbestosis and silicosis usually develop over a long period of time. For example, symptoms of asbestosis may not occur until 20 to 30 years after exposure to asbestos. This is because symptoms are caused by built-up scarring of the lung tissue, which disrupts normal lung contraction and expansion. Symptoms of asbestosis include:
- shortness of breath, which can worsen with time
- chronic cough or chest pain
- clubbed or deformed fingers
Likewise, silicosis symptoms may not occur for years after initial exposure. However, some people can experience an initial cough. People with silicosis usually experience breathing difficulties with physical exertion which can progressively worsen to the point where they have breathing difficulties at rest. Silicosis symptoms also include weight loss, fatigue, or a cough that produces phlegm. -
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Parkland Medical Center answered
Dust disease and asbestosis can deteriorate lung functioning and put excess strain on the heart. Normally, the lungs are protected from inhaled microscopic particles by cilia, which are tiny hairs that line airways and catch particles before they reach the lungs. Air sacs inside the lungs called alveoli, which regulate the transfer of oxygen to the blood, also possess an immune response to foreign particles. Defense cells called macrophages protect the alveoli by destroying unwanted particles such as smoke and dust. However, asbestos and silica particles are difficult to break down and cause the macrophages to release an enzyme that damages the alveoli and can cause scarring over time. A buildup of scarring in alveoli and other lung tissue can cause the heart to work harder because blood vessels in the lungs are blocked by scar tissue. This can lead to high blood pressure (pulmonary hypertension) and problems with the right side of the heart.