Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Other Asbestos-Related Illnesses A prolonged exposure to asbestos can result in a range of serious, potentially life-threatening diseases It can take years for mesothelioma, mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses to develop They are often misdiagnosed as other illnesses People with any level exposure to asbestos can develop diseases associated with it The risk of developing pleural msothelioma is increased by the fourth power of the time since the first exposure What is Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the lung's lining pleura and less often in the abdomen's lining peritoneum It is an aggressive cancer that could be fatal It is believed to be caused by exposure to asbestos-containing products or materials that are often used in the workplace The mesothelioma victims are usually construction workers, firefighters and veterans, as well as other people who were exposed to asbestos-contaminated products Mesothelioma symptoms can not be seen for 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure The disease is named for the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue that covers many organs in the body including the chest cavity, the lungs pleura and stomach peritoneum and the heart pericardium Mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers are encased within the mesothelium, creating irritation and scarring As time passes the cells that are irritated develop abnormal genetic mutations, and then transform into cancerous tumors There are four types of mesothelioma Each is affecting a different part of the body Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common type, accounting for around 88 of cases diagnosed every year Other types include testicular mesothelioma peritoneal and pleural The symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on the area of the body that is affected The symptoms can range from respiratory problems such as coughing and difficulty breathing to abdominal pain, heart palpitations and fluid in the lung pleural effusion Certain patients also experience swelling of the hands or feet, as well as fatigue and weight loss Mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize, as the initial symptoms are similar to those of other diseases like lung diseases and cancer It is therefore important that anyone who has been exposed to asbestos informs their doctor of their past exposure They should be screened regularly for the presence of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses Regularly scheduled checkups help provide a faster and more precise diagnosis It also reduces the risk of complications, such as latency This means that symptoms won't get missed and may be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses, such as an alteration in the shape of fingers and nails, known as asbestosis or even as an ordinary sign of aging What is Asbestosis Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally is extremely durable and resistant to high temperatures It was used in the past in a variety of industrial processes and consumer products, such as insulation, brakes, shingles floor tiles, and other kinds of cement Exposure to asbestos fibres over an extended period of time can cause serious health problems, including asbestosis and mesothelioma Workers in certain fields like those who are involved in mining and the production of asbestos-containing products, may be at greater risk of being exposed Inhalation of asbestos fibers could cause scarring and stiffening in the lung tissue The latency period is the amount of time it takes for symptoms to show after exposure This is the reason it's essential to report any asbestos-related history to your doctor, so they can conduct periodic screenings Those most at risk of developing asbestosis include those who worked in shipbuilding, construction or other fields where exposure to asbestos was common before its ban Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos in the workplace can develop the condition The symptoms of asbestosis vary in severity and can be quite difficult to diagnose The diagnosis of asbestosis is made by reviewing the medical history of a patient and conducting a variety of diagnostic tests They could include an X-ray of the chest, which can detect advanced asbestosis by revealing white areas on the lungs that look like honeycombs CT scans may show asbestosis symptoms more clear than X-rays A lung biopsy may be carried out to confirm a diagnosis It involves removing a tiny portion of lung tissue for analysis under a microscope The test can reveal the extent of lung disease as well as the presence of ferruginous bodies golden yellow, beaded rods-like structures coated with iron-containing proteins Asbestosis is a progressive illness that can get worse over time It can cause breathing difficulties and create pressure on the rest of the body's organs, including the heart Certain patients may require a procedure pleurodesis that stops fluid from returning to the lungs or a tube pleurectomy to eliminate their lungs frequently at home These procedures can ease breathing and improve quality of life What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma After exposure to asbestos, symptoms of asbestosis or mesothelioma may not manifest for a long time This is referred to as the"latency" period and differs from one patient to the next, based on their location of cancers 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 that develops in the membrane that surrounds your lung and chest wall the pleura It can also develop in the peritoneum or diaphragm The signs of pleural mesothelioma generally begin with shortness of breath and dry cough Other symptoms include fatigue, fever and abdominal pain As the cancer progresses to other parts of the body, various symptoms may be observed in every part Asbestosis isn't a cancer but it is a respiratory illness that may cause similar symptoms as mesothelioma Both diseases are caused by inflammation resulting from asbestos exposure The inflammation results in scarring of the lungs which makes breathing difficult Asbestosis patients also experience the buildup of a fluid in the lung space, which can aggravate most symptoms https//vimeocom/703524646 and mesothelioma are associated with a variety of health issues, including fatigue headaches, memory loss depression, anxiety and stress In a few instances, mesothelioma patients have experienced heart or digestive issues as well If you suspect you have mesothelioma, your doctor will conduct a physical exam and examine your work history to see whether or not you were exposed to asbestos The blood tests are conducted to check the health of your kidneys, liver and blood cells Chest X-rays can be used to determine if you have any fluids or thickenings in the pleura Mesothelioma is extremely rare, and it can be difficult to recognize This is due in part to the fact that early mesothelioma symptoms often resemble the symptoms of other common ailments, like pneumonia and influenza Furthermore, mesothelioma is characterized by a long latency period which makes it difficult to recognize in its early stages Consequently, it is often mistakenly diagnosed What is the Treatment of Mesothelioma A biopsy is a sample of tissue that a doctor uses to determine if mesothelioma or asbestosis is present It is crucial to receive a mesothelioma diagnosis as early as you can, since the disease is known to have prolonged latency periods, which means symptoms don't show up until years after exposure to asbestos A biopsy can be done in several ways, including by bronchoscopy as well as needle biopsy In a bronchoscopy procedure, doctors insert a tube to visualize the tissue and take an insignificant amount of it for pathological analysis In a needle biopsies, doctors insert needles into the chest wall or lungs to extract a small amount of fluid to be examined using a microscope The most popular treatment for mesothelioma involves surgery, however radiotherapy and chemotherapy can also be used Mesothelioma can be extremely difficult to treat and many patients develop relapses after treatment with the first line Shipyard workers, miners and construction workers are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma However, people who work in hospitals and schools can also develop the illness when they have experienced prolonged exposure to asbestos-based building materials Teachers, nurses, and former pupils of schools constructed with asbestos-containing materials have all been diagnosed with the illness In cases of asbestosis, the most effective treatment is managing symptoms These include breathing exercises as well as medications to treat breathing problems, wheezing, coughing and chest pain Pleural effusion, which is also known as fluid buildup around the lungs, can cause symptoms This is caused by inflammation and cell loss in the lung's lining A procedure known as VATS can help reduce the symptoms Mesothelioma is a rare, but serious cancer that develops in the lining of organs It usually begins in the lungs, but can also occur in the peritoneum or heart Exposure to asbestos is the cause Asbestos is a class of minerals that are composed of microscopic fibers The symptoms typically manifest between 20 and 50 years following exposure People who have been exposed are typically diagnosed with the disease later in life, with men more likely to suffer than women