Can Exposure to Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?
The harmful mineral asbestos can cause many types of diseases. Lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma of the pleural are two of the most common cancers caused by asbestos. They affect the linings of the abdomen, chest cavity and the heart. Any type of asbestos exposure may cause these conditions, although they are most common when exposed for a long period of time.
The exposure to asbestos can occur when products that contain the material are damaged or destroyed during the process of product use, demolition or home and building maintenance. It is also possible to become sick through indirect exposure to family members or friends who worked with asbestos materials.
Asbestos Exposure
A person develops an asbestos-related illness when tiny fibers enter the body and cause irritation to tissues. Asbestos exposure can occur if an individual inhale asbestos particles or works with it or is in close proximity to it. Asbestos workers are at most risk of developing an asbestos-related illness but even one exposure to asbestos can be enough to cause a dangerous health issue.
Inhalation is the most frequent type of asbestos exposure. People can inhale asbestos when mining the mineral, making or install products made of asbestos, renovating old structures or handling other materials that contain asbestos. Asbestos fibers can irritate the outer lining (called pleura) of the lungs or chest wall after inhaling asbestos. This irritation could lead to inflammation, scarring, and eventually cancer.
The signs of mesothelioma typically do not appear for 20-50 years after the first exposure to asbestos. The symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and dry cough. The patient may also develop a build-up of fluid inside the lungs, which is known as an pleural effusion. This symptom can be annoying and painful, however it is generally harmless.
Many people are diagnosed as having an asbestos-related illness due to exposure to asbestos, but haven't manifested any symptoms. Because of this long period of latency certain doctors do not believe that an exposure to asbestos is responsible for mesothelioma and other illnesses associated with the mineral.
However, it is important to keep in mind that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos. The more asbestos that an individual is exposed to, the greater the risk of long-term health issues.
The typical latency time for pleural mesothelioma is 30 years after a patient first experiences exposure to asbestos. This is why it is so important to monitor any asbestos exposure potential in the home, workplace or other environments. All asbestos-containing substances should be handled and removed by certified asbestos abatement professionals. Anyone who is exposed to asbestos should always wear a respirator, and follow strict safety guidelines. To stop asbestos fibers from spreading throughout the workplace, workers should double-bag wet rags as as PPE and label them.
Signs and symptoms
Asbestos is a deadly mineral that was used in many American factories and homes, as well as schools. The toxic material was valued for its strength, fireproofing properties and resistance to heat. Exposure to asbestos can result in severe illnesses like mesothelioma. Many times, patients don't be aware of mesothelioma until long after their exposure. Mesothelioma can show symptoms similar to other illnesses like lung cancer and respiratory problems.
Mesothelioma symptoms can vary depending on the type of mesothelioma as well as the location. Coughing, breathlessness, and chest pain are common signs of pleural pleural cancer, which affects the lungs. Fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity may cause fatigue and pain in patients with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. Other asbestos-related symptoms include abdominal pain and weight loss.
It takes between 10 and 50 years for mesothelioma symptoms to manifest after asbestos exposure. The asbestos-related disease is slow to progress and doesn't show obvious symptoms until it is in a more advanced state. Many doctors do not identify mesothelioma or connect it with asbestos exposure since the symptoms are so obscure and similar to other health conditions.
Patients should consult their primary care physician regarding any new or persistent symptoms they are mesothelioma what causes it experiencing. They should inform the doctor about any history of asbestos as well as any prior health issues. This will allow the doctor to investigate mesothelioma.
If someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, they will receive a peritoneal biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. They will also undergo blood tests, the CT scan or an MRI to determine the severity of their condition and stage of mesothelioma.
Anyone who has been exposed asbestos may develop mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases. This includes construction workers, military veterans, people who lived or worked in asbestos-contaminated buildings and other professions. People who do home renovations or have family members who work in construction may be at risk for asbestos exposure. Some patients developed mesothelioma after wearing clothing to work or at school. This is not common, since most victims develop mesothelioma only after prolonged or extreme exposure.
Diagnosis
One-time exposure to asbestos doesn't generally result in mesothelioma. Mesothelioma symptoms can only be developed after repeated exposure to asbestos particles. A single exposure to asbestos can lead to asbestosis, or other asbestos-related illnesses when the incident is enough severe that asbestos is able to settle into the body's tissues. Many people who were exposed to asbestos following the 9/11 attacks in New York City may have inhaled enough toxic material to cause health problems later on.
Asbestosis, and other asbestos-related diseases, can take decades to develop. As a result, victims may not remember the exposure or their health problems. As well, the symptoms of asbestos are similar to those of more common illnesses. This can make it difficult to diagnose mesothelioma. A misdiagnosis could have devastating or life-threatening consequences for mesothelioma patients.
If you suspect mesothelioma within yourself, it is important to visit your doctor right away. The doctor can perform a physical examination and collect a medical history in order to determine if the possibility exists. The doctor can also perform tests to determine the presence of disease, like a chest CT scan or X-ray. These tests can show whether the lining of the lung (pleura) is thickened by calcium deposits or if fluid has accumulated between the lung's wall and the chest. This is known as an "pleural effusion".
Other tests may be required depending on the location of mesothelioma. A doctor might need to conduct a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis. In the course of the procedure, the doctor will insert a needle in the patient's body and remove a small amount of tissue to be examined under a microscope. Or, the doctor could perform surgery to collect mesothelioma samples. They will make use of a tube that has a video camera that can view the area of the body they are working on. They will then insert special tools through the tube into the patient's body to obtain a sample.
Because mesothelioma is so rare It is crucial that patients seek medical attention right away if they suspect that they have the disease. They should inform their doctor of any possible exposure to asbestos in order to record it in the patient's medical record and keep an eye out for any future symptoms or signs of mesothelioma.
Treatment
Asbestos is a collection of minerals that are naturally occurring. The use of asbestos was used in the past to reinforce products and for other industrial purposes, such as insulation and fire resistance. Over time, asbestos has become known as a dangerous substance because of its ability to cause cancers and other diseases when breathed in by humans. People who work with or around asbestos are more at risk of developing serious health problems than those who do not. The good news is that these symptoms 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.
Asbestos fibers are released into air when asbestos is disturbed. They can be easily inhaled. The body's natural defenses are able to eliminate the majority of the fibers. However, they can sometimes escape the defenses and enter the lungs. As time passes, this could cause lung problems such as pleural effusions (a accumulation of fluid in the lung's space) asbestosis or mesothelioma.
The incidence of these diseases usually increase in a proportional fashion depending on the amount of time the patient has been exposed to asbestos. However, the exact latency period for mesothelioma is not established as numerous studies haven't tracked patients for such a lengthy period of time. Mesothelioma could occur in the linings of the lungs, the heart or other locations where mesothelium is formed.
Malignant mesothelioma suffers from a low prognosis. It is usually fatal if not detected and treated in the early stages. It can be difficult to identify and symptoms can be mistaken for other illnesses.
If you've been exposed asbestos, it's important to consult a doctor immediately in the event that you experience any symptoms. If they are diagnosed with asbestos-related ailments, they should discuss their legal options with New York mesothelioma attorneys to discover what compensation might be available. This could be used to pay medical expenses and other costs related to the illness.