Ailments Related to Asbestos
It’s true – not everyone who comes in contact with asbestos will develop Mesotheioloma. This is good news. However, there are other asbestos related illnesses that may deserve some attention if you’ve been exposed to this fibrous mineral.
The reason many may not be aware they were breathing the fibers in has to do with the fact that asbestos is about a sixth of the size of the finest human hair in circumference. It is small enough most people never considered it a health hazard.
Let’s take a look at some of the other diseases to which asbestos contributes.
Asbestosis. This is likely the most common non-mesotheioloma lung ailment caused by asbestos. In fact, physicians referred to asbestosis before mesotheioloma was named.
In the case of this disease the asbestos fibers cling to the lining of the lung and develop scar tissue around the fiber. The multiple layers of scar tissue can decrease the capacity of the lungs and render the oxygen to blood and Co2 removal less efficient causing secondary issues for patients. Many who have asbestosis must rely on oxygen therapy and nebulizer treatments to manage proper breathing and oxygen supply. This disease can also cause hardening of the lining of the lung walls. When this happens it can be fatal.
Asbestosis can present itself within 5 years of asbestos exposure. In almost all cases this type of lung ailment only presents itself among those who were involved in heavy asbestos exposure. The primary symptom of this disease is a pronounced shortness of breath.
Lung Cancer. Different than Mesotheioloma this condition may begin with lung irritation caused by asbestos, but is intensified by the habit of smoking. In tandem asbestos fibers and smoking can present itself as lung cancer from 15-35 years following exposure and is often fatal.
Pleural plaques. This is a condition that results in thickened fibers in the pleural lining of the lungs resulting in decreased functionality. Pleural plaques can occur without asbestos exposure, but are more pronounced among those who were exposed to the fibrous mineral. Diffuse pleural thickening is a separate condition that often results in a similar decrease in lung function.
Asbestos warts. This is a condition where the microscopic fibers of asbestos become lodged in the skin. Many times the individuals is unaware there is a problem until a callus-like wart envelops the asbestos fiber. Even then the individual may likely believe it is nothing more than a common wart. This condition is not serious and may never be diagnosed as asbestos related.
Gastrointestinal cancers. There appears to be a link between asbestos exposure and cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. This includes virtually all cancer types of the digestive system. A diagnosis of this type of cancer may not necessarily mean asbestos was the cause, but long-term exposure may play a role in its development in much the same way peritoneal mesotheioloma develops.
Larynx cancer. Simply due to it’s location in the area of the throat this type of cancer can be influenced by asbestos exposure because whether the fibers were inhaled into the long or ingested into the stomach it is possible to have some of those fibers lodge in the larynx.
Benign Mesotheioloma. Like its more lethal counterpart this disease creates tumors and is a direct result of asbestos exposure. Doctors can remove the offending tumor(s) and drain any remaining fluid with an anticipated full recovery. This is a very rare occurrence, but documented nonetheless.
In developing this website it was our purpose to provide information to help you learn more about either a situation you face personally or perhaps provide answers to your curiosity. Mesotheioloma is a difficult disease, but help is available.
We hope you have gained some insight into the disease; it’s causes and legal remedies that may be at your disposal.
You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t have a personal interest in Mesotheioloma. How can we help? We invite you to get in touch.
