Symptoms of Asbestosis:
Asbestosis is an incurable progressive lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Once asbestos fibers enter the lungs, they lodge in the lung tissue, causing inflammation, scar tissue, and reduced ability to breathe. Unfortunately, symptoms of asbestosis usually don’t appear until years after asbestos exposure. But asbestosis can also be a precursor to lung cancer or to mesothelioma, a deadly cancer of the pleural lining of the lungs and abdomen. Knowing the early symptoms of asbestosis and seeking treatment as soon as possible are crucial.
Early Symptoms of Asbestosis
Some of the earliest symptoms of asbestosis can include shortness of breath; a dry, persistent cough; loss of appetite and weight loss; clubbing of the fingertips and toes, giving them a wider and rounder appearance than usual; and chest pain or tightness.
Diagnosing Asbestosis
Asbestosis can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to many respiratory diseases, including pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis. Your doctor may use a wide variety of imaging and pulmonary function tests to aid in your diagnosis:
- Chest X-ray: Asbestosis can appear whitish on a chest x-ray. It may also resemble a honeycomb if both lungs are involved and the disease is advanced.
- Computerized Tomography (CT): A CT scan takes a series of x-rays at different angles, producing a cross section view of the lungs.
- Pulmonary Function: A pulmonary function test will measure how much air your lungs can hold and the airflow in and out of your lungs. Some pulmonary function tests can also measure the amount of oxygen being transferred from your lungs to your bloodstream.
Treatment for Asbestosis
While there is no way to reverse lung damage caused by asbestos, your doctor may prescribe supplemental oxygen for advanced asbestosis. You may even be considered a candidate for a lung transplant.If you have a history of exposure to asbestos and notice any of the symptoms of asbestosis, see your doctor right away. If you or a loved one have been exposed to asbestos and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to compensation. For a FREE consultation, call the Madeksho Law Firm at 1-888-910-MESO (6376), or contact us here. We have decades of experience helping victims of asbestos-related diseases.
