Can Exposure to Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?
The toxic mineral asbestos causes numerous types of diseases. Lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma of the pleural are two of the most prevalent illnesses caused by asbestos. They affect the linings of the chest cavity, abdomen and heart. These conditions can be triggered by any type of asbestos exposure, but they are more prevalent after prolonged exposure.
Exposure to asbestos can happen when products containing asbestos are damaged or destroyed during the process of demolition, product use, or maintenance of buildings and homes. You can also get sick in the event that you are exposed by family members or friends who have had to work with asbestos.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos-related illnesses are caused by tiny fibers cause irritation to tissues. Asbestos exposure can occur if a person inhales asbestos particles or works with it or comes in contact with it. Asbestos workers have the highest risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, but even just one exposure to the toxic substance can be harmful.
Most cases of asbestos exposure involve inhalation. Asbestos can be inhaled while mining the mineral, making or install products made of asbestos, renovating older structures or handling other materials which contain asbestos. When a person inhale asbestos, the tiny fibers may reach the lining of the chest wall and lungs (called the pleura) and begin to cause irritation. This irritation can lead to inflammation, scarring and eventually cancer.
The signs of mesothelioma typically are not evident for 20 to 50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos. These symptoms can include chest pain and dry cough. A pleural effusion, or an accumulation of fluid in the lungs is a further possibility. This condition can be irritating and painful, but is generally harmless.
Many people are diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness because they reported working around or being exposed to asbestos, but have not had any symptoms until recently. Because of this long period of latency some doctors are not convinced that one exposure to asbestos can be the cause of mesothelioma or any other diseases associated with the mineral.
However it is crucial to remember that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos. The more asbestos a person is exposed to, the higher the likelihood that they will suffer long-term health issues.
The typical latency period for mesothelioma of the pleural is 30 years after the initial exposure to asbestos. This is why it is important to be aware of any asbestos exposure potential at work, home or in other places. All asbestos-containing substances must be handled by asbestos abatement professionals. Anyone who is exposed to asbestos must always wear a respirator, and follow strict safety guidelines. To prevent asbestos fibers from spreading throughout the workplace, workers should double-bag wet rags as well as PPE and label them.
Signs and symptoms
Asbestos is a deadly mineral that was widely used in American factories, homes and schools. The toxic material was valued because of its strength, heat resistance, and fireproofing. However exposure to asbestos could cause serious health issues, like mesothelioma. Most often, people don't realize they have mesothelioma until long after their exposure. This is because mesothelioma symptoms are similar to common diseases like lung cancer, respiratory issues and other medical ailments.
Mesothelioma symptoms can vary based on the type of mesothelioma as well as the location of it. The symptoms of pleural mysothelioma which affects the lungs are often breathlessness, coughing and chest pain. Fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity can cause fatigue and pain for patients suffering from mesothelioma peritoneal. Other asbestos-related symptoms include abdominal discomfort and weight loss.
It could take anywhere from 10 to 50 years for mesothelioma-related symptoms to show up after exposure to asbestos. This is due to the fact that asbestos-related disease progresses slowly and does not show obvious signs until it's in a more advanced stage. Because the symptoms are indistinct and similar to symptoms of other conditions some doctors are not able to recognize mesothelioma.
Patients should seek advice from their primary care physician regarding any new or persistent symptoms they are experiencing. The patient should inform the doctor about their asbestos history as well as any health issues they've suffered from in the past. This will allow the doctor to investigate mesothelioma.
A peritoneal biopsied is performed on patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. They will also undergo an CT scan, an MRI or blood tests to determine the level of mesothelioma and its stage.
Anyone who has been exposed asbestos can develop mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. This includes construction workers, military veterans, people who lived or worked in asbestos-contaminated buildings and other professions. People who work on home renovations or have relatives who work in construction might be at risk of asbestos exposure. Some patients developed mesothelioma after wearing their work clothes home or to school. But, this is a rare occurrence as the majority of victims develop mesothelioma after long or intense exposure.
Diagnosis
One-time exposure to asbestos does not usually result in mesothelioma. It requires repeated exposure to tiny asbestos particles for the symptoms to develop. A single exposure to asbestos can cause asbestosis or other asbestos-related diseases when the incident is sufficient to cause asbestos to settle into the body's tissue. Many people who were exposed to asbestos during the 9/11 attacks in New York City may have inhaled enough toxic material to trigger health issues later on.
Asbestosis, as well as other asbestos-related diseases, can take a long time to develop. Therefore, victims may not be aware of their exposure or link it to their health problems. As well, the symptoms of asbestos are similar to the symptoms of more common illnesses. This can make it difficult to recognize mesothelioma. A mistake in diagnosis could result in fatal or serious consequences for mesothelioma patients.
If someone suspects they have mesothelioma they should visit their doctor as soon as they can. The doctor can conduct a physical examination and note down their medical history to determine the possibility. The doctor can also run tests to identify the indications of the disease like a chest X-ray or a CT scan. These tests can tell the lung's lining (pleura) is thickened by calcium deposits or if fluid has accumulated between the lung's and chest wall. This is referred to as an "pleural effusion".
Depending on the site of the mesothelioma additional tests might be required. A doctor may need to conduct a biopsy in order to confirm the diagnosis. During the procedure the doctor will insert an needle into the body of the patient to remove a small portion of tissue for examination. The doctor can also perform surgery to collect a mesothelioma sample. They will make use of an instrument that has a video camera that can view the body area they're operating on. They is mesothelioma caused by asbestos can then pass special tools through the tube into the patient's body to obtain samples.
Mesothelioma is an uncommon disease, which is why it is essential to seek medical attention as soon as you can when you suspect you might be suffering from the disease. They should inform their doctor about any exposure to asbestos so that they can keep it in the patient's medical record and keep an eye out for any symptoms or signs of mesothelioma.
Treatment
Asbestos is a variety of minerals that naturally occur. The use of asbestos was used in the past to strengthen products and for other industrial uses, like insulation and fire resistance. Asbestos has been known to cause cancer and other diseases in humans when inhaled. People who work with or around asbestos are at a higher risk of developing serious health issues than those who do not. The good news is, these symptoms can take a long time to show up. The first signs of asbestos exposure are not evident until 10 to 40 years after the initial exposure.
When asbestos is disturbed the fibers that make up the material can be found floating in the air and are easily inhaled. The body's natural defenses typically remove the majority of these fibers, however, they are sometimes able to evade the defenses and get trapped in the lungs. Over time, this can lead to lung conditions like the pleural effusions (a buildup of fluid in the lung's space), asbestosis or mesothelioma.
The incidence of these diseases increase proportionally to the number of years a person spent being exposed to asbestos. However, the exact latency period for mesothelioma is not well-studied since many studies haven't tracked patients for this long time. Mesothelioma can be found in the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), lining of the heart (peritoneal mesothelioma) or any other location in which mesothelium is formed.
Malignant mesothelioma is an unfavorable prognosis. It is usually fatal if not detected and treated in the early stages. The disease can be difficult to diagnose, and symptoms can be confused with other illnesses.
People who have been exposed to asbestos should visit a doctor immediately if they develop any symptoms that might be connected to the disease. If diagnosed with asbestos-related conditions it is recommended that they discuss their legal options with New York mesothelioma attorneys to find out what compensation options are available. This could be used to pay medical bills and other expenses associated with the disease.