Asbestosis
Pneumoconiosis caused by inhalation and retention of asbestos fibers / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Asbestosis is long-term inflammation and scarring of the lungs due to asbestos fibers.[4] Symptoms may include shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness.[1] Complications may include lung cancer, mesothelioma, and pulmonary heart disease.[1][9]
Asbestosis | |
---|---|
A plaque caused by asbestos exposure on the diaphragmatic pleura | |
Specialty | Pulmonology |
Symptoms | Shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, chest pain[1] |
Complications | Lung cancer, mesothelioma, pleural fibrosis, pulmonary heart disease[1][2] |
Usual onset | ~10-40 years after long-term exposure[3] |
Causes | Asbestos[4] |
Diagnostic method | History of exposure, medical imaging[4] |
Prevention | Eliminating exposure[4] |
Treatment | Supportive care, stopping smoking, oxygen therapy,[5][4] lung replacement |
Prognosis | Up to 40% continue to worsen[6] |
Frequency | 157,000 (2015)[7] |
Deaths | 3,600 (2015)[8] |
Asbestosis is caused by breathing in asbestos fibers. It requires a relatively large exposure over a long period of time, which typically only occur in those who directly work with asbestos.[1][9] All types of asbestos fibers are associated with an increased risk.[1] It is generally recommended that currently existing and undamaged asbestos be left undisturbed.[1] Diagnosis is based upon a history of exposure together with medical imaging.[4] Asbestosis is a type of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.[4]
There is no specific treatment.[1] Recommendations may include influenza vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination, oxygen therapy, and stopping smoking.[1] Asbestosis affected about 157,000 people and resulted in 3,600 deaths in 2015.[8][7] Asbestos use has been banned in a number of countries in an effort to prevent disease.[1]
Statistics from the UK's Health and Safety Executive showed that in 2019, there were 490 asbestosis deaths.[10]