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Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Other Asbestos-Related Illnesses A prolonged exposure to asbestos can cause a number of serious, potentially life-threatening illnesses. Mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related illnesses can take decades to develop, and are often misdiagnosed or confused with other conditions. People who have any exposure to asbestos may develop diseases caused by it. The risk of pleural msothelioma is increased by the fourth power of the time since the first exposure. What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the lung's lining (pleura) and less often in the abdomen's lining (peritoneum). It is a type of cancer that can be fatal. It is believed to be the result of exposure to asbestos-containing substances or products that are often used in the workplace. Mesothelioma is usually seen in firefighters, construction workers and veterans who have worked with asbestos. It may take between 20 and 50 years following asbestos exposure before symptoms of mesothelioma appear. The disease is named after the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue that surrounds many organs in the body including the chest cavity and lungs (pleura) as well as the stomach (peritoneum) and the heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers are encased within the mesothelium, creating irritation and scarring. As time passes, the irritated cell develops genetic mutations, which transform them into cancerous tumors. There are four kinds of mesothelioma and each affects a different part of the body. Pleural mesothelioma is the most prevalent kind, accounting for approximately 80percent of cases diagnosed each year. Other types include testicular mesothelioma of the peritoneal and pleural. The symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on the area of the body affected. They can range from respiratory issues like breathing difficulties and coughing to abdominal pain heart palpitations, and fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion). Certain patients also experience swelling in the hands or feet and fatigue and weight loss. Early symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other diseases, like lung cancer and lung disease. It is therefore essential that anyone who has been exposed to asbestos inform their doctor of the exposure they have had in the past. They should be screened regularly for the presence of mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases. Regularly scheduled checks can lead to a faster and more accurate diagnosis. It can also help lower the chance of complications such as latency. This means that symptoms won't get missed and may be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses, such as an alteration in the shape of the fingers and nails, also known as asbestosis or a normal sign of ageing. What is Asbestosis? Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral is extremely durable and resistant to high temperatures. It was used in the past in various industrial processes and consumer products, such as insulation, brakes, shingles, floor tiles and some types of cement. Exposure to asbestos fibers over a period of time may cause serious health issues, such as mesothelioma or asbestosis. People who work in certain industries may be at a higher risk of exposure to asbestos fibres, such as those who work in the mining and production of asbestos-containing products. Asbestosis is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers, which can cause scarring and stiffening of the lung tissue. The latency period is the time it takes for symptoms to show after exposure. This is why it's important to disclose any history of asbestos exposure to your doctor so that they can conduct periodic screenings. The most susceptible to developing asbestosis are those who worked in the construction, shipbuilding or other industries that were exposed to asbestos prior to its prohibition. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos while at work may develop the condition. The symptoms of asbestosis vary in severity and are extremely difficult to determine. The diagnosis of asbestosis can be determined by examining the medical history of a patient, and performing a variety of tests for diagnosis. A chest X-ray can detect asbestosis that is advanced, since it can show areas of the lung that are white that resemble honeycombs. CT scans can reveal asbestosis symptoms more clear than X-rays. A lung biopsy can be performed to confirm a diagnosis. This involves removing a small portion of lung tissue for analysis under microscope. The test can identify the extent of lung disease as well as the presence of ferruginous bodies (golden yellow rods that are beaded and coated with iron-containing proteins). Asbestosis is a progressive disease, which can worsen as time passes. It can cause breathing difficulties and cause pressure on other organs in the body, such as the heart. Certain patients may require an operation (pleurodesis), which prevents fluid from returning to the lungs, or a tube (pleurectomy) to eliminate their lungs frequently at home. These procedures can improve breathing and enhance the quality of life. What are the signs of Mesothelioma? After asbestos exposure, mesothelioma or asbestosis symptoms might not show up for years. This is referred to as the latency time, and it differs from patient to patient, based on the location of the tumors and other factors. The mesothelioma-related cancer develops on the mesothelium – the lining that covers many of your internal organs. The most frequent form is pleural mesothelioma that develops in the membrane surrounding your lungs and chest wall (the pleura). It can also be found in the diaphragm and peritoneum. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma typically begin with shortness of breath and dry cough. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever and abdominal pain. As the cancer progresses to other parts of the body, various symptoms may be observed in each part. Asbestosis, which is not a cancer but a respiratory disorder that can cause symptoms similar to mesothelioma but is not a cancer. Both of them are caused by inflammation that results from asbestos exposure. The inflammation causes scarring of the lungs, which makes breathing difficult. Asbestosis patients also experience formation of a fluid within the lung space which can cause a variety of symptoms. Both asbestosis and mesothelioma are associated with a variety of other health problems such as fatigue, memory loss, headaches and depression as well as anxiety. In some instances, mesothelioma patients have experienced heart or digestive issues as well. If you think you have mesothelioma, your doctor will conduct a physical examination and look over your work history to see whether or whether you were exposed to asbestos. The blood tests are conducted to determine the health of your kidneys, liver and blood cells. Chest X-rays can be used to determine if there are any fluids or thickenings in the pleura. Mesothelioma is incredibly rare, and it can be difficult to recognize. Early mesothelioma can mimic other illnesses such as influenza or pneumonia. Mesothelioma also has a long latent phase, which makes it difficult to diagnose at the earliest stage. Consequently, it is often misdiagnosed. What is the treatment for Mesothelioma and Asbestosis? A doctor can diagnose asbestosis or mesothelioma by taking the tissue sample, which is also called a biopsy. It is important to get a mesothelioma diagnosis as early as possible, since the disease can have long latency times, which means symptoms don't begin to appear until several years after exposure to asbestos. A biopsy can be done in various ways, including by bronchoscopy and needle biopsy. In a bronchoscopy, doctors insert a tube in the breathing passages to visualize tissues and collect a small sample to conduct a pathological analysis. In a needle biopsies procedure, doctors insert an instrument into the chest wall or lungs to extract a small amount of fluid for examination using a microscope. Surgery is the most popular treatment, but radiotherapy and chemotherapy are also used. Mesothelioma can be extremely difficult to treat, and many patients relapse after first-line treatment. The people who are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma are miners, shipyard workers construction workers and insulation contractors. School employees or hospitals may also be at risk if they've been exposed to asbestos-based products for a long time. Teachers, nurses and ex-pupils of schools constructed using asbestos-based materials have also been diagnosed with mesothelioma. In the case of asbestosis the most effective method of treatment is managing symptoms. These include breathing exercises and medication to help manage breathing problems, wheezing, coughing and pain in the chest. The symptoms are often exacerbated due to the accumulation of fluid around the lungs, which is referred to as Pleural effusion. This is caused by inflammation and loss of cells in the linings of the lungs. A procedure called VATS can help reduce the symptoms. Mesothelioma, one of the rare cancers that affects the lining of organs, is a rare disease. It is usually found in the lungs but can also affect the peritoneum or heart. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a group of minerals made of microscopic fibres often used in the construction industry and other fields. mcallen asbestos lawyer manifest between 20 and 50 years after exposure. People who have been exposed are usually diagnosed with the disease in their later years with men more likely to suffer than women.