Asbestos-Related Diseases
Several diseases are related to the exposure of asbestos fibers. Not all of these are deadly, but they all result in health damage and even damage to the quality of the patient's life. Most of these diseases can be predicted and treated during the time of asbestos exposure. Normally, your exposure to the dust and fibers of asbestos does not cause disease immediately. However, you need to protect yourself from being exposed just to make sure that you will not develop a medical condition related with the mineral.
The dust and fibers of asbestos are hazardous since these are really small. In fact, a microscope is needed just to determine the type of an asbestos fiber. Once they enter the body, there are two possible places where asbestos fibers go. When the fibers are breathed accidentally, they go to your lungs. If they are swallowed, they go to your stomach. Hence, the most common types of asbestos-related diseases occur in the human chest and lungs.
When the fibers of asbestos are viewed through a microscope, they appear sharp. If they get inside your body, they will destroy your tissues. It has been said that all levels of asbestos exposure are harmful to the body. This is due to the fact that just one fiber can bring severe harm. The risk is greatest when you are constantly exposed to it. Medical experts say that the only way for you to hinder the development of asbestos-related health problems is to keep yourself from being exposed to its fibers.
Cancer diseases, which are linked with asbestos exposure, generally take two to four decades to develop. The whole duration is known as the "latency period." Compared to other asbestos-related diseases, pleural thickening occurs more often. There are some individuals who refer to their disease as "asbestosis." However, asbestosis is the specific term for one condition. In order for you to know what is affecting you precisely, you need the diagnosis of a specialist.
The following are among the diseases that are brought about due to severe exposure to the fibers and dust of asbestos:
Mesothelioma
This is a type of cancer which is a result of one's exposure to asbestos dust. Inhaled asbestos dust can accumulate on the lining of your lungs, stomach, and chest. Life expectancy for this kind is 6 to 18 months after the diagnosis.
Lung cancer and other types of cancer diseases
Epidemiological studies suggest that asbestos is one of the primary reasons for lung cancer-related deaths. On the other hand, there are times when a specialist finds it hard to determine the cause of lung cancer. This is especially true when the patient smokes a lot. It has been discovered that exposure to asbestos, paired with smoking, increases the likely of developing lung cancer. Other types of asbestos-related cancer are larynx cancer; stomach cancer; and cancer to the rectum, colon, and ovaries.
Asbestosis
This is a type of pneumoconiosis. Asbestosis is the general reference for the damage occurring to the interior of your lung as a result of asbestos dust inhalation. Your lung is comprised of several alveoli where carbon dioxide and oxygen are transported to and from your blood. When asbestos dust gets inside your lung, the walls of your alveoli are damaged.
Pleural plaques
These refer to the local scarring or thickening of the membrane lining your lungs. Although this type of illness is not that severe, it can be painful and discomforting. It can act as a precursor to another type of asbestos-related disease.
Pleural thickening
This happens when the pleural lining of your lung hardens due to the asbestos fibers found in your lungs. When the case is severe, it can lead to breathing difficulties.