Asbestosis (as-bes-TOE-sis) is a breathing disorder caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Prolonged accumulation of these fibers in your lungs can cause scarring of lung tissue and shortness of breath. Asbestosis symptoms can range from mild to severe, and usually do not appear until many years after exposure.

Asbestos is a natural mineral product that is resistant to heat and corrosion. It was used extensively in the past in products such as insulation, fire-retardant materials, cement, and some vinyl floor tiles. Most people with asbestosis acquired it on the job before the federal government began regulating the use of asbestos and asbestos products in the mid-1970s. Today, its handling is strictly regulated. Acquiring asbestosis is extremely unlikely if you follow your employers safety procedures. Treatment focuses on relieving your symptoms.

Symptoms

The effects of long-term exposure to asbestos typically do not show up for at least 20 to 30 years after initial exposure.

Asbestosis signs and symptoms include:

1)Shortness of breath. The main symptom of asbestosis is shortness of breath. Initially, the shortness of breath occurs only with exertion, but eventually it will happen even while you are resting.

2)Coughing and chest pain. As the disease progresses, you may experience a persistent dry cough and intermittent chest pain.

3)Finger deformity. Advanced cases of asbestosis sometimes result in a finger deformity called clubbing, where the tips of the fingers spread out and become rounder. Many other types of health problems also can cause clubbing

Causes

If you are exposed to high levels of asbestos dust over a long period of time, some of the airborne fibers can become lodged within your alveoli -- the tiny sacs inside your lungs where oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide in your blood. The asbestos fibers irritate and scar lung tissue, interfering with its ability to deliver oxygen to your blood.

As asbestosis progresses, more and more lung tissue becomes scarred. Eventually, your lung tissue becomes so stiff that it cannot contract and expand normally. Smoking cigarettes appears to increase the retention of asbestos fibers in the lungs, and often results in a faster progression of the disease.

Western Medicine Treatment

There is no treatment to reverse the effects of asbestos on the alveoli. Treatment focuses on preventing progression of the disease and relieving symptoms.

Medications

People who have asbestosis-related breathing problems are sometimes helped by the use of prescription inhalers more commonly used by people who have asthma.

Therapy

To ease difficulty breathing, your doctor may prescribe supplemental oxygen, which is delivered by thin plastic tubing that has two prongs that fit into your nostrils.

Surgery

If your symptoms are severe, you may be a candidate for a lung transplant.

Adopted From Mayo Clinic