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Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by having been exposed to fibers of asbestos. As the exposed person breathed, the asbestos fibers penetrated and irritated the outer parts of the lung, causing inflammation. As the years go on, there will be scarring and thickening of the lung tissue. This is known as pulmonary fibrosis. People who are affected by this disease are mainly those who were employed in the mining of asbestos, the manufacture of asbestos products, or in the building industry. Asbestosis is considered to be the most important work-related lung disease. The incidence of asbestosis is also higher in people who live in areas where there were a large concentration of asbestos-related industries. The unfortunate part about asbestosis is that symptoms only appear after asbestos fibers have already caused irreversible damage. The book, “The American Medical Association, Encyclopedia of Medicine,” states, “People who developed asbestosis will be affected for the rest of their lives. It may have taken 20 years between the exposure of asbestos and the onset of the disease..” According to “The American Medical Association, Encyclopedia of Medicine,” breathlessness is the main symptom. Breathing becomes extremely difficult as this disease develops. There may also be a dry cough and a feeling of tightness in the chest area. Eventually, respiratory failure develops. People who suffer from asbestosis have a higher risk of acquiring tuberculosis and lung cancer. If these individuals are smokers, there chances of getting lung cancer or tuberculosis is higher. These sufferers may also develop high blood pressure which they may not have had prior to this illness and they could also develop heart disease and a buildup of fluid in the lungs. Although there is no cure for asbestosis, there are treatments that can relieve certain symptoms and improve the quality of life for those who are suffering from it. These treatments can be surgical, the use of drugs, and other types of treatments. For patients who have a severe case of asbestosis, a lung transplant may be considered. Drug treatments for asbestosis can also relieve symptoms. These include: pain medication, bronchodilators, and antibiotics. There are patients who are known to get relief by getting acupuncture treatments, homeopathy, and herbal medicines. There is a sunny side to this unfortunate condition. According to “The American Medical Association, Encyclopedia of Medicine,” Since the middle of the 1970's, asbestos has been replaced, wherever possible, by other materials, such as glass fiber. Also, since there has been more of an awareness as to the dangers of being exposed to asbestos, it is presently illegal to use asbestos. Hopefully, in the years to come, asbestosis will be a disease of the past. Mesothelioma cancer patient resource with questions and answers about Asbestosis and the Causes, a deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
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