Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Other Asbestos-Related Illnesses A significant exposure to asbestos can result in a variety of serious diseases that could be life-threatening Mesothelioma and asbestosis are among the most serious asbestos-related illnesses can take decades to develop, and are often misdiagnosed or confused with other ailments People with any level exposure to asbestos can develop diseases caused by it However, the risk of pleural mesothelioma increases by the fourth power of the time since first exposure What is Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is found in the lung's lining pleura and less commonly in the lining of the abdomen peritoneum It is a type of cancer that can be fatal It is believed to be caused by exposure to asbestos-containing substances or products that are often used in the workplace Mesothelioma is most often found in firefighters, construction workers and veterans who have worked with asbestos It may take between 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure before the symptoms of mesothelioma develop The disease is named for the mesothelium which is a thin layer of tissue that covers various organs of the body, including the chest cavity, the lungs pleura, the stomach peritoneum and the heart pericardium Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers embed within the mesothelium, creating irritation and scarring As time passes, the irritated cell develops genetic mutations that transform them into cancerous tumours There are four different types of mesothelioma Each type is specific to a particular part of the body The most commonly encountered type is pleural mesothelioma which accounts for approximately 80 percent of the cases diagnosed each year Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma, testicular mesothelioma and pleural effusion The symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on the area of the body that is affected The symptoms may range from respiratory issues like breathing difficulties and coughing to abdominal pain heart palpitations, and fluid in the lungs pleural effusion Some patients may also experience swelling of the feet or hands finger clubbing as well as weight loss, fatigue and fever Mesothelioma can be difficult to identify, as the symptoms that first manifest are similar to those of other diseases like lung diseases and cancer This is why it is crucial that those who have been exposed to asbestos inform their doctor about the previous exposure They should be monitored regularly for signs of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses Regularly scheduled checks can lead to an earlier and more precise diagnosis This will also lower the chance of complications, such as latency This means that the symptoms won't be missed and may be mistaken for a different illness for example, changes in the shape of fingers and nails, which is known as asbestosis or even as an ordinary sign of aging What is Asbestosis Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that is extremely strong and resistant to heat https//vimeocom/704933427 was previously used in various industrial processes and consumer products, such as insulation, brakes, shingles flooring tiles, as well as some kinds of cement The exposure to asbestos fibers over some time can cause serious health issues, such as mesothelioma or asbestosis People who work in certain areas, such as those involved in mining or manufacturing asbestos-containing products, may be at greater risk of being exposed Inhalation of asbestos fibers may cause scarring and stiffening of the lung tissue Symptoms usually don't appear until a few years after exposure, known as the latency period This is the reason it's essential to inform any asbestos-related history to your doctor, so they can conduct periodic screenings The people most susceptible to developing asbestosis are those who worked in construction, shipbuilding or other fields where exposure asbestos was common before its removal However anyone who was exposed to a significant amount of asbestos in their work environment can develop this condition The symptoms of asbestosis can vary in severity and are extremely difficult to determine The diagnosis of asbestosis can be determined by examining the medical history of a patient, and conducting a variety of diagnostic tests These may include a chest X-ray which can reveal advanced asbestosis through the appearance of white areas on the lungs which look like honeycombs CT scans are more precise than X-rays and can also show signs of asbestosis A lung biopsy may be carried out to confirm a diagnosis This involves removing a small amount of lung tissue to analysis under a microscope The test will reveal the extent of lung disease as well as the presence of ferruginous bodies golden yellow rods, beads-like structures that are coated with iron-containing proteins It is possible to live with asbestosis, but it's a progressive illness that gets worse as time passes It can cause breathing difficulties and may cause pressure on the rest of the body's organs, such as the heart Certain patients may require an intervention to stop fluid from flowing back into the lungs pleurodesis or an instrument to remove the lung at home on a regular basis pleurectomy These procedures can improve breathing and the quality of life What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma and Asbestosis After exposure to asbestos, symptoms of mesothelioma or asbestosis may not manifest for a long time This is referred to as the latency period It differs from one patient to the next, depending on their location of cancers and other factors The cancerous mesothelioma develops on the mesothelium - an enveloping lining that surrounds a lot of your internal organs The most common type is pleural mesothelioma, that develops in the membrane around your lungs and chest wall the pleura It can also be found in the diaphragm or peritoneum Shortness of breath and dry cough are the first symptoms of pleural asbestosis Other symptoms include fatigue, fever and abdominal pain As the cancer progresses, it can spread to other areas of the body, causing different symptoms in each area Asbestosis is not a cancer but an illness of the respiratory system that can cause symptoms similar to mesothelioma but is not a cancer Both diseases are caused by inflammation resulting from exposure to asbestos The inflammation causes scarring of the lungs which makes breathing difficult Asbestosis patients also experience the formation of a fluid within the lungs' apex, which can aggravate most symptoms Both mesothelioma and asbestosis are linked to a range of other health issues such as fatigue, memory loss, headaches, depression and anxiety In some cases, mesothelioma patients have experienced heart or digestive issues as well If you suspect mesothelioma to be present in your body, your doctor will conduct a physical examination and examine your work information to determine if you were exposed or not to asbestos Blood tests can be performed to check the health of your liver, kidneys and blood cells Chest X rays can be used to determine if there are any fluids or thickenings of the pleura Mesothelioma is often difficult to recognize and is extremely rare This is due in part to the fact that mesothelioma's initial symptoms are often similar to the symptoms of other common ailments, like influenza and pneumonia In addition, mesothelioma suffers from an extended period of latency which makes it difficult to detect in its earliest stages This is why it is often mistakenly diagnosed What is the treatment of Mesothelioma A biopsy is a piece of tissue that doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma and asbestosis It is essential to obtain an early diagnosis of mesothelioma as possible, since the disease can have long latency periods, meaning symptoms don't start to manifest until years after exposure to asbestos A biopsy can be performed in various ways, including through bronchoscopy or needle biopsy In a bronchoscopy, doctors insert a tube into the breathing passages to visualize tissues and collect one small sample to be examined for pathological reasons In a needle biopsy, the doctor inserts a needle in the chest wall or lungs to remove a small amount fluid to be examined under a microscope Surgery is the most common treatment, but radiotherapy and chemotherapy are also used Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to treat and a lot of patients develop relapses after treatment with the first line The people who are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma include miners, shipyard workers insulation contractors and construction workers School employees or hospitals may also be at risk when they've been exposed asbestos-based materials for a long period of time Teachers, nurses and former pupils of schools constructed using asbestos-based materials have also been diagnosed with mesothelioma The best treatment for asbestosis is to control the symptoms This involves breathing exercises and medication to help manage symptoms such as wheezing and breathlessness, chest pain and coughing Symptoms are typically exacerbated by the build-up of fluid around the lung, which is often referred to as Pleural effusion This is caused by inflammation and loss of cells in the lung linings A procedure called VATS can help reduce the symptoms Mesothelioma, an uncommon and serious cancer that affects the lining of organs, is a rare disease It is typically found in the lungs but can be found in the peritoneum as well as the heart Exposure to asbestos is the cause Asbestos is a collection of minerals composed of tiny fibers It typically takes 20 to 50 years after exposure before symptoms appear Men are more likely than women to develop the disease following exposure