Asbestosis and Other Asbestos Related Ailments
In the past few years, people have been talking about the dangers of asbestos and the cancer it causes – mesotheleomia. However, did you know that asbestos exposure could cause other medical problems as well? Even if you don’t develop mesotheleomia, you could still contract a disease that is not only costly to treat, but also painful and even deadly. You have just as many legal rights as people who develop mesotheleomia. Let’s talk about some of the other medical problems you could experience if you work or lve around asbestos.
Asbestosis
While mesotheleomia is extremely rare, asbestosis is, on the other hand, slightly more common. About 4 in every 10,000 Americans are currently dealing with asbestosis, and every year, around 10,000 people die from the disease. The risk factors are still the same as with mesotheleomia, but if you were or are exposed to asbestos, you are much more likely to develop asbestosis. Given that this disease is as deadly, that’s not exactly good news!
With asbestosis, the cells in the body do not mutate and become dangerous tumors, but the beginning of the story is still the same – tiny asbestos fibers enter the lungs and become embedded in the soft tissue lining. Scar tissue builds up as the body tries to fix the problem. At this point, in mesotheleomia patients, the cells become cancerous, but with asbestosis, the scar tissue continues to build in the lungs, making it harder and harder for the lungs to expand and contract as they normally would.
Common symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue, and chest pain. The scar tissue can sometimes be removed to help relieve symptoms, but by this time, the lungs are typically already irreversibly damaged. There is no cure for asbestosis, only methods of relieving the symptoms as much as possible.
Non-Mesotheleomia Cancer
When it comes to asbestos and cancer, the link is clear – asbestos causes mesotheleomia. However, did you know that exposure to asbestos may also increase your risks of developing other types of cancer as well? There is a definitely link between asbestos and lung cancer. Asbestos is a known toxic substance, and when the cells in the lungs themselves (not just the lining of the lungs, where mesotheleomia develops) are repeatedly exposed to asbestos, the cells can begin to mutate and multiply abnormally. The result is lung cancer.
Of course, asbestos alone isn’t the only cause of lung cancer, as other risk factors like smoking and heredity do play a role. However, because of the link between lung cancer and asbestos, scientists have begun to study other cancers in regards to asbestos exposure. What they are finding is surprising. Many types of cancer, including breast cancer, leukemia, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, lymphoma, and gastrointestinal cancer may be linked to asbestos exposure. These studies are still in their infancies, but some doctors are speculating that asbestos fibers may travel more readily through the body stream than we though, affecting many other parts of the body.
Should You See a Doctor?
Asbestos is as dangerous as it is in part because it usually attacks the body slowly. Many people who have been exposed to asbestos don’t see any kind of symptom for many years. So, if you have been exposed to asbestos in the past, but feel fine, should you see a doctor?
The answer to that is an overwhelming yes. Even if you feel fine today, that case of the flu or common cough you get tomorrow might actually be a misdiagnosed symptom of an asbestos-related problem. Many hospitals have screening problems available for free, so you should take advantage of these assets. Catching mesotheleomia, asbestosis, cancer, and other problems early is the only way to survive the condition. See your doctor today, and continue to participate in screenings as often as is recommended.
And remember, you have legal rights. If you were unknowingly exposed to asbestos, you should contact a lawyer today to talk about you next actions. You may be entitled to money for your medical needs, lost wages, and more.
