subject: Asbestosis Mesothelioma Can Make Life Difficult [print this page] Asbestosis mesothelioma is a disease affecting the parenchyma tissue of the lungs. It is an occupational lung disease just like mesothelioma cancer as long term heavy exposure to asbestos particles alone causes it. The parenchymal tissues would remain permanently sore and irritable resulting in dyspnea or shortness of breath and increased chances of contracting lung cancer. Due to over-exposure to asbestos, plaque would form above the diaphragm, which can be detected in X-ray tests.
The initial symptom of asbestosis mesothelioma is breathing difficulties and seriously affected persons may witness total respiratory failure. The disease usually does not show up before ten years after asbestos exposure. But there are documented cases where the ailment became visible after just three months. There are two types of asbestos particles, namely, amphibole, which are thin and straight, and serpentine, which is curved. It is the former that creates asbestosis because it can penetrate deep into the lungs through inhalation and scar lung tissues around terminal bronchioles and alveolar ducts.
Once the fibers reach the air sacs of alveoli, the place where oxygen is routed into the blood, they provoke the lung's inherent immune system into getting inflamed in a bid to expel the foreign body. The body releases macrophages to get the intruder digested, but as asbestos is indigestible, the macrophages die resulting in release of cytokines, which further attract more macrophages. This excess accumulation results in thickening of alveolar walls thereby reducing elasticity and diffusion of gas and thus results in hindering oxygen transfer into the blood.
Severely affected patients may witness inspiratory crackles and clubbing of fingers. The disease may not be life-threatening, but it can indirectly cause serious medical situations like heart failure. Around half of all asbestosis patients may develop plaque in the chest and lung cavities.
Asbestosis mesothelioma presently has no effective curative treatment, but regular oxygen therapy can be administered at home itself to provide relief from breathing problems. Supportive therapies like respiratory physiotherapy, chest percussion, vibration and nebulization are also used to dilute secretions causing shortness of breath. Asbestosis patients are also entitled compensation from their employers.
by: Christopher Smith
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