Asbestosis
In this condition factsheet:
Diagnosing Asbestosis
If you suffer from a cough and habitual shortness of breath, you should tell a doctor about any possible exposure to asbestos. Your doctor will also probably talk to you about your work history to determine this. Because asbestosis has no symptoms that are completely unique, diagnosis is usually made after excluding alternative diagnoses and considering symptoms alongside a confirmed history of asbestos exposure.
Only when there is clear evidence of asbestosis will a doctor assume that asbestos exposure played a role. This is because showing a cause-and-effect relationship to work-related asbestos exposure presents many medical and legal problems, especially if you are a smoker. Chest X-rays or a CT scan will confirm whether the lungs are scarred. Pulmonary (or lung) function tests may reveal that lung function is decreased. In rare cases, a lung biopsy can be done to actually show the asbestos fibres in the lungs, but this seldom changes the management of asbestosis.
Treating and Preventing Asbestosis
There is currently no specific treatment for asbestosis. Supportive care is used to treat symptoms of asbestosis. The management of asbestosis should focus on preventive measures.
Asbestosis is preventable, mainly through reducing the amount of asbestos dust in the workplace. As many industries are phasing out the use of asbestos because of its health hazards, the number of people who have asbestosis is now decreasing. However, there is still poor control over the use of asbestos in developing countries, and immigrants may continue to present with the disease for many years.
If you have asbestosis, you must immediately stop all exposure to asbestos. If you're a smoker, you must also stop smoking in order to prevent serious complications. There are no specific treatments available for asbestosis. General treatments available for the kind of restrictive lung disease it causes include bronchodilator inhalers and exercise programs. Respiratory infections should be treated promptly. If you have asbestosis, vaccination shots against pneumococcal pneumonia and the flu can help prevent lung infection. Therapy with pure oxygen helps if you have an advanced case of the illness.
If you work in an industry that uses asbestos, you should make sure your employer takes preventive steps to ensure your safety and that of your fellow workers. Many countries have adopted regulations about acceptable limits of asbestos exposure and use mandatory guidelines to carefully monitor types and degrees of exposure.
Laws are now in force that set standards for protective clothing and regulate the record keeping of data about any possible exposure. Other areas that need close regulation include the use of respirator equipment when asbestos levels are above a specified level, appropriate labeling of materials that contain asbestos, and air and water safety. Employers must provide mandatory medical examinations at specified intervals for workers who are exposed to asbestos.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Asbestosis
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