Asbestosis
Pulmonary fibrosis - from asbestos exposure; Interstitial pneumonitis - from asbestos exposureAsbestosis is a lung disease that occurs from breathing in asbestos fibers.
Causes
Breathing in asbestos fibers can cause scar tissue (fibrosis) to form inside the lung. Scarred lung tissue does not expand and contract normally.
How severe the disease is depends on:
- How long the person was exposed to asbestos
- The amount that was breathed in
- The type of fibers breathed in
Often, the symptoms aren't noticed for 20 years or more after the asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers were commonly used in construction before 1975.
Asbestos exposure occurs in asbestos mining and milling, construction, fireproofing, and other industries. Household members of asbestos workers can also be exposed from asbestos particles brought home on the worker's clothing.
Other asbestos-related diseases include:
- Pleural plaques
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Malignant mesothelioma (cancer of the pleura, the lining of the lung), which can develop 20 to 40 years after exposure
Malignant mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon cancerous tumor. It mainly affects the lining of the lung and chest cavity (pleura) or lining of the abdomen (...
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Pleural effusion, which is a collection of fluid that develops around the lung a few years after asbestos exposure and is benign
Pleural effusion
A pleural effusion is a buildup of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity.
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These conditions can coexist with asbestosis.
Workers today are less likely to get asbestos-related diseases because of government regulations.
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing asbestos-related diseases.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include any of the following:
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Chest pain
Chest pain
Chest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.
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Cough
Cough
Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. But too much coughing may mean you have a disease or disorder. Some coughs are d...
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Shortness of breath with activity (slowly gets worse over time)
Shortness of breath
Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air
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Possible other symptoms include:
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Clubbing of fingers
Clubbing
Clubbing is changes in the areas under and around the toenails and fingernails that occur with some disorders. The nails may also show changes....
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Nail abnormalities
Nail abnormalities
Nail abnormalities are problems with the color, shape, texture, or thickness of the fingernails or toenails.
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Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the symptoms.
When listening to the chest with a stethoscope, the provider may hear crackling sounds called rales.
These tests may help diagnose the disease:
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Chest x-ray
Chest x-ray
A chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.
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CT scan of the lungs
CT scan of the lungs
A chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....
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Lung function tests
Lung function tests
Pulmonary function tests are a group of tests that measure breathing and how well the lungs are functioning.
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Pleural plaques in the chest x-ray or CT scan can help diagnose asbestosis and differentiate from other forms of pulmonary fibrosis.
Treatment
There is no cure. Stopping exposure to asbestos is essential. To ease symptoms, drainage and chest percussion can help remove fluids from the lungs.
Percussion
Percussion is a method of tapping body parts with fingers, hands, or small instruments as part of a physical examination. It is done to determine:Th...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleYour provider may prescribe aerosol medicines to thin lung fluids. People with this condition may need to receive oxygen by mask or by a plastic piece that fits into the nostrils. Certain people may need a lung transplant.
Support Groups
You can ease the stress of this illness by joining a lung support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.
Lung support group
The following organizations are good resources for information on lung disease:American Lung Association -- www. lung. orgNational Heart, Lung, and B...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleMore information and support for people with asbestosis and their families can be found at:
- American Lung Association -- www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asbestosis
- The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization -- www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/
- United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration -- www.osha.gov/asbestos
Outlook (Prognosis)
Outcome depends on the amount of asbestos you were exposed to and how long you were exposed.
People who develop malignant mesothelioma tend to have a poor outcome.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider if you suspect that you have been exposed to asbestos and you have breathing problems. Having asbestosis makes it easier for you to develop lung infections. Talk to your provider about getting the flu, pneumonia, and other vaccines.
If you've been diagnosed with asbestosis, call your provider right away if you develop a cough, shortness of breath, fever, or other signs of a lung infection, especially if you think you have the flu. Since your lungs are already damaged, it's very important to have the infection treated right away. This will prevent breathing problems from becoming severe, as well as further damage to your lungs.
Prevention
In people who have been exposed to asbestos for more than 10 years, screening with a chest x-ray every 3 to 5 years may detect asbestos-related diseases early. Stopping cigarette smoking can greatly reduce the risk of asbestos-related lung cancer.
References
Go LHT, Cohen RA. Pneumoconioses. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 101.
Tarlo SM. Occupational lung disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 87.
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Respiratory system - illustration
Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.
Respiratory system
illustration
Review Date: 5/3/2023
Reviewed By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron, Jr. Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.