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Mesothelioma Asbestosis and Other AsbestosRelated Illnesses Significant asbestos exposure can result in a variety of serious illnesses that can be lifethreatening It could take years for asbestosis mesothelioma and other asbestosrelated illnesses to develop They are often misdiagnosed as different conditions Asbestosrelated diseases can affect those who have had any degree of exposure The risk of developing pleural mesothelioma is increased by the fourth power of time from the first exposure What is Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer occurs in the lung linings and abdomen It is a cancer that could be fatal It is believed that asbestoscontaining products or products cause most often at work Mesothelioma is usually found in construction workers firefighters and veterans who have worked with asbestos Mesothelioma symptoms can not be seen for 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure The disease is named for the mesothelium which is a thin layer of tissue that covers many organs in the body including the chest cavity and the lungs pleura the stomach peritoneum and the heart pericardium Mesothelioma happens when asbestos fibers become embedded in the mesothelium causing irritation and scarring As time passes the irritated cells undergo abnormal genetic mutations and transform into cancerous tumors There are four kinds of mesothelioma and each affects a different part of the body Pleural mesothelioma is the most common kind accounting for approximately 80percent of cases diagnosed every year Other types include testicular mesothelioma of the peritoneal and pleural The symptoms of mesothelioma differ depending on the area of the body that is affected They can range from respiratory problems like coughing or difficulty breathing to abdominal pain and fluid in the lung tulsa asbestos law firm experience swelling in their hands or feet as well as fatigue and weight loss The initial symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to other conditions including lung disease and cancer This is why it is crucial that anyone exposed to asbestos tell their doctor about the previous exposure Then they should be monitored regularly for any symptoms of asbestosrelated diseases and mesothelioma These regular checkups can lead to an earlier and more precise diagnosis This also decreases the chance of complications such as latency This means that symptoms wont be ignored and could be mistaken for a different illness for example a change in the shape of fingers and nails also known as asbestosis or even as a normal sign of ageing What is Asbestosis Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral is extremely strong and resistant to extreme temperatures It was previously used in various industrial processes and consumer goods such as insulation brakes shingles flooring tiles as well as some kinds of cement Exposure to asbestos fibers over some time can cause serious health issues such as mesothelioma or asbestosis Individuals who work in certain industries could be at higher risk of exposure to asbestos for asbestosrelated diseases such as those involved in the mining and production of asbestoscontaining products Inhalation of asbestos fibers could cause stiffening and scarring in the lung tissue The latency period is the time it takes for symptoms to manifest after exposure Its crucial to inform your doctor about any asbestos exposure so they can conduct periodic screenings The people most at risk for developing asbestosis are those who been employed in shipbuilding construction or other fields that were exposed to asbestos prior to its prohibition However anyone who was exposed to significant levels of asbestos in their work environment may develop this disease The signs of asbestosis differ in severity and it isnt always easy to identify The diagnosis of asbestosis is typically established by reviewing the medical history of the patient and conducting a variety of diagnostic tests This could include a chest Xray which can detect advanced asbestosis by revealing white areas on the lungs that resemble honeycombs CT scans may show asbestosis symptoms more evidently than Xrays A lung biopsy could be carried out to confirm the diagnosis This involves removing small amounts of lung tissue to be analyzed under a microscope The test determines the severity of lung fibrosis It also shows the presence of ferruginous bodies and asbestos bodies golden yellow rodlike structures with beaded beads that are coated in ironcontaining proteins It is possible to live with asbestosis however its a chronic disease that can get worse with time It can cause breathing problems and may put pressure on the rest of the bodys organs and tissues including the heart Some patients will need a procedure to stop fluid from flowing back into the lung pleurodesis or a tube to remove the lungs at home on regular basis pleurectomy These procedures can improve breathing and quality of life What are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma and Asbestosis After exposure to asbestos the mesothelioma or asbestosis symptoms may not manifest for a long time This is referred to as the latency period and is different from one person to the next based on their location of cancers and other factors The cancerous mesothelioma develops on the mesothelium a lining that surrounds many of your internal organs The most common form is pleural which occurs in the membrane that surrounds your chest and lungs the pleura It can also be found in the diaphragm or peritoneum Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma usually begin with breathlessness and a dry cough Other symptoms include fever fatigue and abdominal pain As the cancer progresses it may be spread to other parts of the body causing distinct symptoms in each of the areas Asbestosis isnt a form of cancer but it is a respiratory disease that can cause similar symptoms as mesothelioma Both diseases are caused by inflammation resulting from asbestos exposure The inflammation causes scarring of the lungs which makes breathing difficult Asbestosis patients also experience the formation of a fluid within the lungs apex which can aggravate most symptoms Both mesothelioma and asbestosis are linked to a myriad of other health problems that include fatigue headaches memory loss depression anxiety and stress Some mesothelioma sufferers also experience heart or digestive problems If you suspect you have mesothelioma your physician will conduct a physical examination and look over your work history to see whether or not you were exposed to asbestos Your doctor may request blood tests to test your liver kidneys and blood cells Chest Xrays can reveal if there is thickening of the pleura or in the space between your lungs and chest wall Mesothelioma can be difficult to detect and is extremely rare The early mesothelioma may mimic other illnesses like pneumonia or influenza Additionally mesothelioma has a long latency period that makes it difficult to recognize in its early stages Consequently it is often incorrectly diagnosed What is the Treatment for Mesothelioma and Asbestosis A biopsy is a small amount of tissue that is used by a doctor to diagnose mesothelioma and asbestosis It is crucial to receive an early diagnosis of mesothelioma as you can since the disease has prolonged latency periods which means symptoms dont begin to appear until several years after exposure to asbestos A biopsy can be done in several ways including by bronchoscopy and needle biopsy In a bronchoscopy doctors insert a tube to visualize the tissue and then take the smallest amount of tissue to conduct a pathological analysis In a needle biopsy the doctor inserts an instrument into the lungs or chest wall to take a small amount of fluid to examine under a microscop Surgery is the most common treatment however chemotherapy and radiotherapy are also used Mesothelioma can be extremely difficult to treat and a lot of patients develop relapses after treatment with the first line The people who are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma include miners shipyard workers construction workers and insulation contractors School employees or hospitals may be at risk too if theyve been exposed to asbestosbased products for a long time Nurses teachers and former pupils of schools constructed with asbestoscontaining materials have all been diagnosed with the disease When it comes to asbestosis the most effective treatment is managing symptoms These include breathing exercises as well as medication to help manage breathing problems wheezing coughing and chest pain The symptoms are often exacerbated by the buildup of fluid around the lung which is known as pleural effusion This is caused by inflammation and cell loss in the lungs lining A procedure known as VATS can alleviate the symptoms Mesothelioma is one of the rare cancers that affects organ linings is a rare disease It is typically located in the lungs but can also affect the peritoneum or heart The exposure to asbestos is the cause Asbestos is a collection of minerals comprised of tiny fibers It can take between 20 and 50 years after exposure before symptoms begin Those who have suffered exposure are typically diagnosed with the disease in their later years with men more likely to be affected than women