Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Other Asbestos-Related Illnesses Significant exposure to asbestos can cause a variety of life-threatening diseases Mesothelioma and asbestosis are among the most serious asbestos-related diseases can take a long time to develop, and are often misdiagnosed or confused with other conditions Asbestos-related illnesses can be found in people with any amount of exposure The risk of developing pleural mesothelioma is increased by the fourth power of the time since the first exposure What is Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, occurs in the lung linings and abdomen It is a cancer that can be fatal It is believed to be the result of exposure to asbestos-containing substances or products, often in the workplace Mesothelioma can be found in firefighters, construction workers and veterans who have been exposed to asbestos Mesothelioma symptoms can not be seen for 20 to 50 years following asbestos exposure The disease is named after the mesothelium which is a thin layer of tissue that surrounds numerous organs in the body including the chest cavity, the lungs pleura, the stomach peritoneum and the heart pericardium Mesothelioma is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers are encased in the mesothelium, causing irritation and scarring As time passes the irritated cells undergo abnormal genetic mutations and change into cancerous tumors There are four types of mesothelioma and each affects a different part of the body Pleural mesothelioma, the most common kind, accounting for approximately 80 of the cases diagnosed each year Other types include peritoneal mesothelioma, the testicular mesothelioma, and pleural effusion The symptoms of mesothelioma differ depending on the area of the body that is affected They can range from respiratory problems like coughing or difficulty breathing to abdominal pain and fluid in the lung Patients may also experience swelling of the hands or feet finger clubbing and weight loss, fatigue and fever The early signs of mesothelioma are similar to other conditions, including lung disease and cancer https//vimeocom/704887185 is therefore essential that anyone who has been exposed to asbestos inform their doctor about their past exposure Then, they should be regularly monitored for symptoms of asbestos-related diseases, and mesothelioma Regular checks can help provide a faster and more accurate diagnosis This will also lower the risk of complications, such as latency This means that symptoms won't be overlooked and could be mistaken for a different illness, such as an alteration in the shape of the fingers and nails, also known as asbestosis or even as a normal sign of ageing What is Asbestosis Asbestos is a mineral found naturally that is extremely durable and resistant to heat In the past, it was used for various industrial processes and consumer products, such as insulation and brakes It was also used in shingles, floor tiles and certain types of cement Exposure to asbestos fibres for the course of a long time can cause serious health issues, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma People who work in certain areas such as those who are who are involved in mining and the production of asbestos-containing products, may be more susceptible to exposure Asbestosis is caused by inhalation of asbestos fibres, which can cause swelling and stiffening of lung tissue The symptoms usually do not manifest until a few years after exposure, referred to as the latency period It is essential to inform your doctor about any asbestos exposure so that they can perform periodic screenings Those most at risk of developing asbestosis are those who worked in construction, shipbuilding or other industries where exposure to asbestos was common prior to its removal Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos at work may develop the condition The symptoms of asbestosis vary in severity and can be extremely difficult to determine The diagnosis of asbestosis is determined by examining the medical history of a patient and conducting a variety of tests for diagnosis An X-ray of the chest can identify asbestosis that is advanced, since it shows areas of white on the lung that resemble honeycombs CT scans are more precise than X-rays, and may detect signs of asbestosis A lung biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis This involves the removal of small amounts of lung tissue to be examined under microscope The test can determine the severity of lung disease and the presence of ferruginous bodies golden yellow, beaded rods-like structures coated with iron-containing proteins It is possible to live with asbestosis but it's a progressive illness that can get worse over time It can cause breathing problems and cause pressure on other organs of the body, including the heart Certain patients may require an intervention to stop fluid from coming back into the lung pleurodesis or a tube to drain the lungs at home on regular basis pleurectomy These procedures can improve breathing and the quality of life What are the signs of Mesothelioma After exposure to asbestos, the symptoms of asbestosis or mesothelioma may not appear for decades This is known as the latency time, and it varies from patient to patient, based on the site of the tumors and other factors The cancerous mesothelioma develops on the mesothelium - the lining that covers many of your internal organs The most frequent form is pleural mesothelioma which develops in the membrane surrounding your lung and chest wall the pleura It may also occur in the diaphragm or peritoneum Shortness of breath and dry cough are the most obvious signs of pleural asbestosis They can also include a fever, abdominal pain and fatigue As the cancer progresses, it may be spread to other parts of the body, causing distinct symptoms in each area Asbestosis isn't a form of cancer, but it's a respiratory condition that may cause similar symptoms as mesothelioma Both diseases are caused by inflammation that is caused by asbestos exposure The inflammation causes scarring of the lungs, which makes breathing difficult Asbestosis sufferers also experience a buildup of fluid around their lungs that can cause a worsening of symptoms Both mesothelioma and asbestosis are linked to a range of other health problems that include fatigue and memory loss, headaches, depression and anxiety In some cases mesothelioma sufferers have experienced heart or digestive issues as well If you think you have mesothelioma, your physician will conduct a physical examination and look over your work history to see whether or not you were exposed to asbestos Your doctor might order blood tests to test your liver, kidneys and blood cells Chest Xrays can be used to determine if there is thickening of the pleura or fluid in the space between the lungs and chest wall Mesothelioma is extremely rare, and it can be difficult to recognize This is due to the fact that mesothelioma's early symptoms are often similar to symptoms of more common illnesses, such as pneumonia and influenza Mesothelioma also has an extended latent period, making it difficult to identify at its earliest stages This is why it is often mistakenly diagnosed What is the treatment for Mesothelioma A biopsy is a piece of tissue that doctors use to diagnose mesothelioma and asbestosis It is important to get an early diagnosis of mesothelioma as you can, since the disease is known to have long latency times, which means symptoms don't start to manifest until several years after exposure to asbestos A biopsy can be performed by a variety of methods, including the bronchoscopy procedure or needle biopsy In a bronchoscopy doctors insert a tube in order to view the tissue and then take a small sample of it for pathological analysis In a needle biopsy, the doctor inserts a needle into the lung or chest wall to take the small amount of fluid to examine under microscope The most popular treatment for mesothelioma is surgery, however radiotherapy and chemotherapy can also be used However, mesothelioma is extremely difficult to treat and many patients relapse after receiving first-line treatments The people who are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma are miners, shipyard workers, construction workers and insulation contractors However, people who work in schools and hospitals can be affected when they have experienced prolonged exposure to asbestos-based building materials Teachers, nurses and former pupils of schools built with asbestos-containing materials have all been diagnosed with the disease The best treatment for asbestosis is to manage the symptoms This involves breathing exercises and medications to treat symptoms like wheezing, chest pain, breathlessness and coughing Pleural effusion, also known as fluid buildup around the lungs can exacerbate symptoms It is caused by inflammation and death of cells in the lung's lining and can be reduced by a procedure known as VATS video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure Mesothelioma is a rare and serious cancer that affects the lining of organs, is a rare disease It typically begins in the lungs, however it can also be found in the peritoneum and heart The exposure to asbestos is the main cause Asbestos is a grouping of minerals that are made up of tiny fibers The symptoms typically manifest between 20 and 50 years following exposure People who have been exposed are often diagnosed with the disease later in life, with men more likely to suffer than women