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| Asbestosis, Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications |
Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by long-term exposure to asbestos fibers. Symptoms of asbestosis usually only appear years after a person is exposed to asbestos fibers.
Asbestos is a type of mineral that is generally used for building roofs. If it is still in good condition, asbestos is not harmful to health. However, when it is damaged, asbestos can emit fine dust that contains asbestos fibers. Dust with asbestos fibers is susceptible to inhalation by humans.
If inhaled, asbestos fibers can cause gradual damage to the lungs and cause asbestosis disease. In fact, in some cases, asbestosis can lead to life-threatening complications, such as lung cancer or heart failure.
Causes of Asbestosis
Asbestosis disease occurs when a person accidentally inhales dust containing asbestos fibers continuously. The asbestos fibers are then trapped in the air pockets in the lungs (alveoli) and form scar tissue so that the lungs become stiff.
Stiff lungs cause these organs can not inflate and deflate normally. As a result, the patient becomes difficult to breathe. The condition can develop more severe if the patient has a smoking habit.
Asbestosis risk factors
Asbestosis is more at risk of attacking someone who works as:
- Asbestos miners
- Shipping workers
- Workers on railroads
- Asbestos factory workers
- Construction workers
- Electric technician
- Mechanics
Asbestosis Symptoms
In most cases, asbestosis symptoms appear 10-40 years after a person is exposed to asbestos. Here are some of the symptoms of asbestosis:
- Hard to breathe
- Persistent dry cough
- Wheezing
- Chest or shoulder pain
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Neck or face swelling
- Body feels very tired
- Clubbing finger, which is a condition where the fingers and fingernails are wide and swollen
When to go to the doctor
Get a screening or chest X-ray every 3-5 years if you live or work in an environment where you are exposed to asbestos dust. In addition, if the above-mentioned symptoms appear and do not subside, immediately consult a doctor.
If you have been diagnosed with asbestosis, check with your doctor regularly so that you can know the progress of your condition. Routine examination is important to prevent complications of asbestosis.
Asbestosis Diagnosis
The doctor will ask the patient's symptoms and the time of their appearance, the history of the disease, and the type of work of the patient. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination, including a physical examination of the chest.
Next, the doctor will perform additional examinations, such as:
- Scanning with chest X-ray and CT scan, to see an image of the lungs
- Pulmonary function tests, to determine respiratory function, including to measure the amount and speed of air inhaled and exhaled by the patient
- Bronchoscopy, to detect abnormalities in the lungs using a thin tube equipped with a light and a small camera
- Biopsy by taking a sample of tissue or fluid in the lungs, for further investigation in the laboratory
- Asbestosis Treatment
- Asbestosis treatment aims to relieve symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and prevent complications. Some of the treatment methods are:
- Oxygen therapy
- Oxygen therapy aims to overcome the lack of oxygen due to respiratory disorders. This method is done by giving oxygen through a tube or mask that covers the nose and mouth.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation therapy
- Pulmonary rehabilitation therapy to help the lungs function more effectively. One method in this therapy is to teach breathing and relaxation techniques to patients.
- Lung transplant
- Lung transplant or graft to treat a severe decline in lung function. Lung transplantation is done by replacing damaged lungs with healthy lungs from a donor.
During the treatment period, patients are asked to check with the doctor regularly. The doctor will perform scans and lung function tests on a regular basis to determine the progress of the patient's condition. The time interval between examinations will be adjusted according to the severity of the asbestosis.
To assist the treatment process, patients will also be advised to do the following:
- Avoid exposure to asbestos dust so asbestosis does not get worse.
- Stop smoking and stay away from exposure to secondhand smoke to prevent damage to the respiratory tract and lungs.
- Get vaccinated against flu and pneumonia to reduce the risk of developing lung infections.
Please note that lung damage due to exposure to asbestos fibers cannot be cured. However, the above treatment methods can prevent the patient's condition from getting worse.
Complications of Asbestosis
Asbestosis can cause serious complications, especially if the patient is exposed to asbestos dust continuously. These complications include:
- Lung cancer, especially in people with asbestosis who smoke
- Mesothelioma, which is cancer of the lining of the lungs (pleura), heart, stomach, or testicles
- Pleural thickening
- Effusion or accumulation of fluid in the pleura
- Laryngeal cancer
Asbestosis Prevention
The best way to prevent asbestosis is to avoid exposure to asbestos, especially if you work in a field that is prone to asbestos exposure. The way to prevent this is to wear a face shield and special clothing when working.
If the roof of your house uses asbestos and is damaged, immediately replace it with another material that is safer. Asbestos that has been damaged can release asbestos fibers that are easily inhaled. However, do not replace the asbestos material unless you are trained.
For those of you who have been diagnosed with asbestosis, check with your doctor regularly to prevent complications. In addition, do not smoke so that the risk of developing lung cancer decreases.
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