Asbestosis Mesothelioma

ASBESTOSIS MESOTHELIOMA

Asbestosis Mesothelioma is a respiratory disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers, where the lungs are formed extensive scarring. Asbestosis minerals consist of silicate fibers with different chemical composition. If inhaled, asbestos fibers settle in the lungs, causing scarring. Inhaling asbestos can also cause thickening of the pleura (the membrane lining the lungs).

Cause

Inhaling asbestosis fibers can cause scarring (fibrosis) in the lungs. Lungs tissue that forms of fibrosis can not inflate and deflate properly. Severity of the disease depends on the duration of exposure and the number of fibers inhaled. Exposure to asbestos can be found in the mining and milling industries, constructions and other industries. Exposure to asbestos workers’ families can  also occur from particles brought  home on the clothing workers.

Diseases caused by asbestos include :

·         Plague pleura (classification)

·         Malignant Mesothelioma

·         Pleural effusion

Symptoms

Symptoms appear gradually and asbestosis newly emerged only after the information of scar tissue in large quantities and the lungs lose elasticity.

The first symptoms is shortness of breath light and reduced ability to exercise. About 15% of patients will experience severe shortness of breath and respiratory failure.

Heavy smoker with chronic bronchitis  and asbestosis will suffer from coughing and wheezing. Inhaling asbestos fibers can sometimes lead to accumulation of fluid in the space between the membranes lining the lungs. Although rare, asbestos can also cause Tumo called Mesotheliomas in the pleura or the lining of stomach called peritoneal Mesotheliomas.

Mesotheliomas caused by asbestos are malignant and can not be cured. Mesotheliomas usually occur after exposure to krokidolit, one of 4 types asbestos. Amosit other species, also causes Mesotheliomas Krisotil may not cause Mesotheliomas but sometimes tained by tremolit which can cause Mesotheliomas. Mesotheliomas usually occur after exposure for 30 – 40 years.

Lung cancer will occur in patients with asbestosis who also smoke, especially those who smoke more than then one pack a day.

Other symptoms that may be found :

·         Cough

·         Tightness in the chest

·         Chest pain

·         Nail abnormalities or clubbing of fingers (fingers from that resembles a drum percussion)

Prevention

Asbestosis can be prevented by reducing the fiber content and asbestos dust in the working environment. Because the industry that uses asbestos dust control has been done, now suffering from asbestos fewer, but still Mesotheliomas occur in people who have been exposed 40 years ago.

To reduce the risk of lung cancer, to the workers associated with asbestos, it is recommended to quit smoking. Meanwhile, in order to avoid the source of the disease will spread in the family, it is suggested each worker to wash his clothes at the plant, and replace them with clean clothes to return home. So that all work clothes no one brought home, and workers cleaned up or shower before returning home each.

Healing

Supportive treatment to overcome the symptoms is to remove mucus / phlegm from the lungs by postural drainage procedures, chest percussion and vibration. Given drugs to him the mucus spray, May need to be given oxygen, either through the lid face (mask) or through a plastic tube that is placed in the nostrils, sometimes performed lung transplants. Fatal Mesotheliomas, chemotherapy is not much useful and removal of the tumor does not cure cancer.

Source : Wikipedia, Etc.