Asbestosis, Asbestos Exposure

Asbestosis is a type of chronic inflammatory lung disease that is exclusively linked with the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Although asbestosis is a serious condition, it is one of the less serious asbestos diseases because of its non-malignant nature. However, people suffering from asbestosis face an increased risk of developing one of the more serious malignant asbestos diseases like asbestos lung cancer, asbestos laryngeal cancer or malignant mesothelioma.

Manifestation of Asbestosis

When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can become lodged in mucus lining of the mouth, throat and lungs. Dependent on where asbestos fibers become lodged, they can cause the development of a variety of negative health conditions. Asbestos fibers lodged in the throat can lead to caner of the larynx; asbestos fibers that become lodged in the parenchymal lung tissue can cause scarring and the development of asbestosis.

The body has a natural process through which it attempts to rid itself of the lodged asbestos fibers. Digestive molecules called macrophages are produced by the immune system and released in an effort to dissolve the trapped fibers. Because of the relative indestructibility of asbestos, the macrophages are unable to dissolve the fibers, leading to a vicious cycle through which macrophages are continuously re-released in an attempt to dislodge the asbestos from the lung tissue. This cycle has a harsh effect on the parenchymal lung tissue, leading to increased scarring and a reduction in total lung capacity (asbestosis development).

Asbestosis Symptoms

There are a number of asbestos symptoms indicative of the chronic inflammatory lung disease. Some of the more common asbestosis symptoms can include:

The most common presenting symptom associated with the development of asbestosis is a feeling of breathlessness. Asbestosis causes scarring of the parenchymal lung tissue, diminishing total lung capacity (TLC). Decreased lung capacity prevents the lungs from exchanging necessary levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. The inadequate blood-oxygen level fosters the development of several asbestosis symptoms, notably breathlessness, malaise and congestive heart failure.

Asbestosis Diagnosis

The earlier an asbestosis diagnosis can be confirmed, the greater the chances of doctors being able to limit the amount of lung scarring and loss of total lung capacity. Unlike some of the more serious asbestos lung diseases, a case of asbestosis can be diagnosed via certain imaging tests (x-ray, MRI, CT scan). Doctors may wish to perform additional tests if there is concern that the asbestosis has caused the development of a more serious condition, or if it is thought to be secondary to another condition.

Asbestos Diseases

Asbestos exposure is linked with the development of a variety of malignant and non-malignant diseases. Asbestos diseases include malignant mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer, asbestosis, diffuse pleural thickening, fibrosis, pleural plaques and asbestos warts.

Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of the asbestos diseases because it has an average post-diagnostic survival time of one to two years. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of malignant mesothelioma (peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma being the other two). A given case of malignant mesothelioma is divided into one of three histological classifications (based on cellular structure): epithelioid mesothelioma, sarcomatoid mesothelioma or biphasic mesothelioma.

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