Why We Our Love For Asbestos Exposure (And You Should Too!)

The Risks of Asbestos Exposure Asbestos poses little risk unless the tiny fibers are airborne. Those who are at highest risk include people working with asbestos, smokers, and those who have pre-existing lung conditions. Secondhand exposure can occur when workers bring home asbestos-containing particles on their clothing, shoes and hair or through launderers washing contaminated work clothes. Family members may also suffer from this type of exposure. Symptoms Asbest releases fibers into the air when it is broken or disturbed. These fibers can be inhaled. When inhaled these fibers may be trapped in the lungs and irritate lung tissue. This can lead to scarring of the lungs, which is known as asbestosis. This can make it difficult for CO2 and oxygen to enter and exit the lungs. This can cause serious and life-threatening problems, such as lung cancer and asbestosis. Asbestosis usually occurs after prolonged, prolonged exposure. The most commonly reported symptom is difficulty breathing. Other symptoms include coughing, chest pain, and a bluish hue on the skin due to a lack of oxygen. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can affect the linings of the chest cavity, lungs and abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma is usually fatal and is typically diagnosed after 30-40 years of asbestos exposure. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should consult their doctor for a physical exam. A doctor will determine if additional testing is necessary based on the patient's work history, along with other factors. This could include chest Xrays, a CT scan or a lung function test. These changes may not be obvious to the patient, but could be detected by X-rays or chest CT scans. These changes can be identified by doctors who are experts in asbestos-related diseases. The symptoms of lung disease due to asbestos exposure can take a long time to develop, and many people don't realize they're affected until it's too late. Other symptoms of asbestos exposure in addition to lung fibrosis, include breathlessness, pain in the chest, abdomen, persistent cough, weight loss and fever. People who have been exposed to the virus should get a flu vaccine and a pneumonia vaccination. This can help to keep respiratory infections at bay, which could make their health worse. Hands should be cleaned often to decrease the risk of getting an infection. They should also join support groups for people suffering from asbestos-related diseases. Treatment Asbestos has been known to cause a myriad of health issues. The severity of the health problems depends on the length of time and the type of asbestos the person has been exposed to. It can lead to respiratory diseases like asbestosis and pleural effusions. It can also cause mesothelioma – an uncommon cancer that affects the tissues of the chest and abdomen. It can also lead to cancer of the gastrointestinal tract as well as kidneys. Your physician will recommend treatment options to control symptoms, and prevent complications if you've been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. These treatments can include procedures and medications like pulmonary rehabilitation, occupational therapists and lung transplants. You can also join support groups to discuss your health issues. People who have been exposed for a long time to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma and lung cancer. Smokers are at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses because smoking cigarettes can cause irritation to the lung. The latency period is the amount of duration it takes for symptoms to appear. Chest pain and breathing problems are the first symptoms of asbestos exposure. The scarring in the lungs can lead to breathing difficulties. As the disease progresses, symptoms could get worse and people can become breathless even when they are at rest. There is also the possibility of symptoms of fatigue, fever or weight loss. Asbestosis is not curable however certain treatments can ease symptoms and improve the quality of life for sufferers. Doctors can prescribe aerosol medicine to reduce the amount of fluid in the lungs. A person who has severe symptoms can receive oxygen through an in-nose tube. Regular blood tests and Xrays can aid in monitoring the condition and identify any complications. It is crucial to follow an exercise routine and a healthy diet, as this can help keep one healthy. Stress can cause symptoms to worsen, so it is important to avoid stress. Diagnosis The most commonly reported symptoms of asbestos exposure are difficulty breathing. The reason for this is that asbestos fibers are microscopic and can remain in the lungs even years after exposure. The lungs are not designed to get rid of these foreign materials which is why they get damaged and irritated over time. This condition is known as asbestosis or pulmonary fibrous. The symptoms of asbestos poisoning may last for up to forty years to manifest. This is one of the reasons why asbestos exposure is often not detected for so long, even by people who worked with asbestos on a regular basis. The tiny asbestos fibers can be inhaled when asbestos is released into the air. The majority of them will be carried out or absorbed into mucus, but some will go through this process and get trapped deep inside the lung. This can cause a variety of diseases that reduce lung function. This includes lung cancer and mesothelioma which is a deadly cancer that affects the lining of organs internal to them also known as the mesothelium. Lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure is difficult to detect in its early stages because it can mimic other conditions, including chronic coughing, weight loss and chest pain. The risk of developing lung cancer increases with the amount of asbestos and other carcinogens a person is exposed too, such as tobacco smoke. Asbestosis typically develops a few years after the initial exposure. It is detected through an examination by a doctor, a work history, chest x-rays, CT scans, and blood tests for lung enzymes. Asthmatics may be at a higher-risk of developing asbestosis. The most serious asbestos-related disease is mesothelioma, which forms in the lung's lining as well as other organs within the body. It can also be found in the ovaries or larynx. People with a history exposure to asbestos are more likely to develop this kind of cancer, as is mesothelioma which targets the interior of the intestines as well as the stomach. It can take many years for mesothelioma's development. Therefore, Santa Maria asbestos lawsuit is essential that people with a history asbestos exposure go through regular health checks. The following is a list of preventions. Many houses and buildings constructed prior to 1970 contain materials like asbestos pipes and floor tiles that are still in good condition. As long as these materials are not disturbed, they are not a health risk. Only when these materials are damaged or deteriorate do they pose a health risk by releasing microscopic asbestos fibers into the air which can be inhaled and consumed. If this occurs, the health risks are significant and it's crucial to have any suspected asbestos materials tested, inspected or removed by a qualified professional. Asbestos fibers are only a cause of disease when inhaled, eaten, and lodged in lung tissue. This can result in a variety of diseases, including mesothelioma asbestosis or lung cancer (scarring of the lung). The symptoms of these diseases typically don't show up until several years after the initial exposure. Asbestos-related illnesses are mostly caused by occupational exposure. Asbestos is found in many occupations, including those of mine workers, insulation contractors, and construction workers. Even if workers are trained and wear personal protective equipment, they may still be exposed when the asbestos is disturbed or damaged in any way that allows the tiny fibers into the air. Unlike other poisons, which tend to have immediate effects the symptoms of asbestos related diseases can take between 15 and 50 years to manifest after exposure. This is known as the latency period. In addition to occupational exposure, it is also possible for individuals to be exposed through the water system through drinking water that is contaminated by asbestos resulting from erosion of natural land resources, or due to mill tailings from mining or mines that have been discarded or the disintegration of asbestos cement pipes carried by rainwater. Ingestion can also occur due to the accidental consumption of food items that are contaminated such as clams or other seafood, that were washed down with the contaminated water. The greatest asbestos risk is currently for workers who are involved in the demolition or repair of structures which may contain asbestos as well as those who handle contaminated waste. The most at risk are those who were involved following the September 11 attacks in New York City and those involved in rescue, recovery and clean-up efforts. It is recommended that these people wear full-body protection and wear a top quality face mask when working with asbestos. It is important that those who work with asbestos have adequate ventilation.