Asbestosis Research Paper

ASBESTOSIS
Overview
Asbestosis is a chronic (long-term) lung disease that develops from inhaling asbestos fibers resulting in the scarring of lung tissues and shortness of breath. Other names for this disease are interstitial pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis. Asbestos is a group of minerals with thin microscopic fibers that 's resistant to heat and corrosion. This disease usually goes undiagnosed for many years after the exposure happened.
Causes
Asbestosis is associated with chrysotile fiber. Chrysotile is among the six known kinds of asbestos. When a person inhales asbestos fibers, they can get deposited into your lungs and result in the formation of scar tissues. Scarring of lung tissues is known as asbestosis. As asbestosis grows, increasingly

• Shortness of breath.
• Chest pain.
• Persistent dry cough
• Chest tightness
• Nail disfigurements
• Enlarged finger tips

Diagnosis
A range of diagnostic tests might be required to help identify the diagnosis of Asbestosis since it is not easy to diagnose because its signs and symptoms are related to many other respiratory diseases. The recommended diagnostic tests include:
1. Chest X-ray
2. Complete physical examination
3. Lung Function tests
4. Lung biopsy, in which lung tissue is removed through surgery. It is the most reliable way to diagnose the existence of microscopic asbestos fibers because x-rays cannot identify them.

Treatment

While there’s no cure for asbestosis; however, there are few treatment options that can help reduce or control its symptoms.
1. Oxygen therapy to help you relieve shortness of breath
2. Medications to relieve pain and thin secretions
3. Respiratory physiotherapy to get rid of secretions from the lungs
4. If your condition is severe, lung transplant can be your only option.

Prevention
Asbestosis can cause dangerous mesothelioma, a serious type of lung tumor. Different types of lung tumor may grow in patients who smoke. Reducing exposure to asbestos is the best prevention against