Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Asbestosisis a severe condition that affects the lungs when tiny fibers from asbestos materials are inhaled and become stuck in tissue there. When lodged in the lungs, asbestos causes scar tissue and thickening of connective tissue, making breathing difficult.
Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned some asbestos products as early as 1973, these materials are still in some buildings. If such materials are disturbed, breathing them in can possibly lead to asbestosis over time.
This article will discuss the types of asbestosis, symptoms to watch for, possible causes, diagnostic steps, treatment options, and prognosis.
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Types of Asbestos
Asbestos is a group of heat-resistant silicate minerals made up of bundles of fine fibers. These materials are found in rocks and soil. Six different types of asbestos can cause asbestosis. They include:
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If you inhale asbestos fibers, this can lead to lung scarring and symptoms such as the following:
When sharp asbestos fibers become lodged in the lungs, they can cause scarring there. Because of this, the lungs can no longer work effectively. The longer the asbestos exposure, the greater the damage.
As a result, miners, construction laborers, and others who have worked around asbestos are at particular risk for asbestosis. Because these fibers can cling to clothing, the families of such workers are also at risk.
But asbestosis can take some time to develop (10 to 40 years).Regulations may protect current workers, but those who worked in industries before such laws were in place remain at risk.
Besides asbestosis, if you are exposed to asbestos, cancer may develop. For example, you may develop malignant mesothelioma orlung cancer. It can also cause disorders involving the tissue covering the lungs (pleural), such as pleural plaques, where the tissue thickens, or pleural effusion, where fluid collects around the lungs.
If you’re a cigarette smoker, keep in mind that your chances of developing asbestos-related lung disease are increased.
Pneumoconiosis
To determine if you have asbestosis, a healthcare provider will first talk to you about whether you have had any potential asbestos exposure. Then you will need to undergo some of the following tests:
While there is, unfortunately, no way to effectively treat asbestosis, there are ways to manage symptoms. Here are some measures that can help make breathing easier:
How well you fare with asbestosis is not the same for everyone. It depends on the length of your exposure and how much and what type of asbestos you inhaled.
In some cases, this may progress very slowly, if at all, over time and may allow you to live for decades.But if you go on to develop a cancerous condition such as mesothelioma, the prognosis is poor.
No matter if you’ve had asbestosis for a while or are newly diagnosed, it can be difficult to handle alone. To help ease the stress, you may wish to join a support group such as the following:
Being around others who understand your challenges can help make you feel more empowered.
Summary
Asbestosis is a lung condition that affects people exposed to asbestos, a mineral once prized for its heat-resistant properties. There are six different types of asbestos, which have served slightly different functions and are now highly regulated due to the health risk they pose.
A Word From Verywell
If you have asbestosis, you may feel overwhelmed. But there are ways to manage symptoms and help you live with the condition. Work with a healthcare provider to find treatments that will enable you to breathe better and maintain a good quality of life.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Asbestos.Penn Medicine.Types of asbestos that can cause asbestos disease.NHS Inform.Asbestosis.National Cancer Institute.Asbestos exposure and cancer risk.Penn Medicine.What is asbestosis?University of California San Francisco Health.Asbestosis diagnosis.Mount Sinai.Asbestosis.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Asbestos.Penn Medicine.Types of asbestos that can cause asbestos disease.NHS Inform.Asbestosis.National Cancer Institute.Asbestos exposure and cancer risk.Penn Medicine.What is asbestosis?University of California San Francisco Health.Asbestosis diagnosis.Mount Sinai.Asbestosis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Cancer Institute.Asbestos.Penn Medicine.Types of asbestos that can cause asbestos disease.NHS Inform.Asbestosis.National Cancer Institute.Asbestos exposure and cancer risk.Penn Medicine.What is asbestosis?University of California San Francisco Health.Asbestosis diagnosis.Mount Sinai.Asbestosis.
National Cancer Institute.Asbestos.
Penn Medicine.Types of asbestos that can cause asbestos disease.
NHS Inform.Asbestosis.
National Cancer Institute.Asbestos exposure and cancer risk.
Penn Medicine.What is asbestosis?
University of California San Francisco Health.Asbestosis diagnosis.
Mount Sinai.Asbestosis.
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