Diseases Resulting From Exposure To Asbestos

By: Ralph Caruzzo

The use of asbestos is not as common today as it used to be, yet there has been an increase in the number of cases affected by asbestos exposure. The reason for this is that asbestos related diseases have a long dormancy period and the fibers causing the problem take as long as 20 to 30 years to reveal themselves. The symptoms then suddenly develop like an onslaught once the dormant period is over. The other issue is that many of these symptoms are common to other diseases as well, making it difficult to identify the real cause.

Asbestos was a popular material for insulation because it is a good insulator and fire retardant. No wonder, it has been used in many buildings, and because it does not cause problems, unless stirred, it has not been replaced in most buildings. However, the symptoms of cancer or asbetosis, which is incurable, can be traced to exposure to this substance years ago.

People who work around old construction sites that involve demolition or remodeling are exposed to asbestos, as they inhale the small fibers. These microscopic fibers, inhaled through the mouth or nose are breathed into the body and come to rest in the lining of the lungs.

Since the illness takes decades to manifest, the damage is not immediately apparent. This can explain the rise in the number of poisoning cases today. Initially, the poisoning is likely to be diagnosed as lung disease since the symptoms are common.

The common symptoms of asbestos poisoning are cough and increased shortness of breath over time. Since these symptoms are related commonly with less deadly illnesses, many people do not take these seriously when they occur. However, it is very important to get yourself checked anytime you experience shortness of breath or a persistent cough.

Asbestos-related disease also causes more dangerous symptoms like hoarseness, chest pain and even coughing up of blood. Here again, these symptoms may get mistaken for other diseases. However, if such symptoms persist, you must take it seriously, especially if you feel you may have been exposed to asbestos at any point in your life. Remember to get all the proper tests and check ups done to rule out the possibility of asbestos poisoning.

Seeing a specialist can help you determine whether or not your problem is asbestos related. If you fear that you have been exposed through work, then speak with your doctor about your concerns and see if you can get a referral to a specialist. It is very important that you catch signs of asbestos early.

Although there is no cure for asbestos related illness the symptoms can certainly be treated. However, if it develops into lung cancer, you may have to go in for surgery. In other cases chemotherapy can be tried. Essentially, a healthy lifestyle is crucial in controlling asbestos symptoms.

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About the Author:
About the author: Ralph Caruzzo is the chief writer at Asbestos & Lead, visit there today for the latest Asbestos advice, and their free newsletter is well worth signing up for too. Read many more interesting articles on Asbestos at: www.asbestoslead.com/articles
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