Can Exposure to Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?
The mineral asbestos is poisonous and causes many diseases. This includes lung cancer and mesothelioma maligna, which affects the chest lining abdomen, lungs and heart. These conditions can be caused by any type of asbestos exposure, however they are more prevalent following long-term exposure.
Exposure to asbestos can occur when products containing asbestos are damaged during product use, demolition or home and building maintenance. You can also get sick in the event that you are exposed through family or friends who have worked with asbestos.
Asbestos Exposure
An individual develops an asbestos-related disease when tiny fibers enter the body and irritate the tissues. Asbestos exposure can occur when an individual inhale 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 one exposure to the toxic substance can cause harm.
Inhalation is the most frequent form of asbestos exposure. It is possible to inhale asbestos while mining the mineral, making or install products containing asbestos, renovating old buildings or handling other materials that contain asbestos. Once a person inhales the asbestos, the microscopic fibers may reach the lining of the lung and chest wall (called the pleura) and begin to irritate it. This irritation can lead to inflammation, scarring and eventually cancer.
Mesothelioma symptoms typically do not show up until 20 to 50 years after a person experiences exposure to asbestos. These symptoms include chest discomfort, dry cough, and a shortness of breath. A pleural effusion, or fluid buildup in the lungs, is a different possibility. This symptom is usually harmless however it can be painful and even arousing.
Many people are diagnosed as having an asbestos-related condition because they have been exposed to asbestos, but haven't shown any signs or symptoms. Some doctors believe that this lengthy time between exposure and symptoms is the reason they don't believe that a single asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma or other illnesses related to the mineral.
It is important to remember that there is no safe exposure level to asbestos. The more asbestos that an individual is exposed to, the greater the risk of long-term health issues.
The average latency period of pleural mesothelioma occurs 30 years after the first exposure to asbestos. This is why it is so important to be aware of any potential asbestos exposure at work, home or other environments. Any asbestos-containing materials should be handled and removed by trained asbestos abatement specialists. Anyone who is exposed to asbestos must wear a respirator and follow strict safety guidelines when handling the materials. To prevent asbestos fibers from spreading, workers should double-bag wet rags as as wearing PPE and label them with the word "asbestos.
Signs and symptoms
Asbestos is a deadly mineral that was utilized in a variety of American factories as well as in homes and schools. The harmful material was admired for its strength, fireproofing properties and resistance to heat. However exposure to asbestos could cause severe illnesses such as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma may develop after years of exposure. Mesothelioma may have symptoms that are similar to other illnesses, such as respiratory cancer and lung cancer.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary depending on the type and location of the cancer. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma which affects the lungs, are usually coughing, breathlessness and chest pain. Patients with pleural mesothelioma experience fluid buildup in the abdomen, causing fatigue and pain. Other asbestos-related symptoms include abdominal pain and weight loss.
Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma is a possibility to develop between 10 and fifty years later. The asbestos-related disease takes a long time to develop and doesn't exhibit obvious signs until it is in a more advanced state. Many doctors are unable to identify mesothelioma or connect it with asbestos exposure due to the symptoms are so ambiguous and similar to other health conditions.
Patients should consult their primary physician about any new or persistent symptoms that they are experiencing. They should inform their doctor about any history of asbestos and any previous health issues. This will help the physician determine if mesothelioma is a possibility.
If someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma they will receive a peritoneal biopsy in order to confirm their diagnosis. They will also undergo blood tests and a CT scan or an MRI to determine the severity of their condition and stage of mesothelioma.
Anyone who has been exposed asbestos is susceptible to developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. This includes construction workers, military veterans, people who lived or worked in asbestos-contaminated buildings and other professions. People who do home renovations or who have relatives working in construction could also be at risk of asbestos exposure. Some victims have even developed mesothelioma after wearing their clothing to work or to school. This isn't common, as the majority of patients develop mesothelioma after prolonged or severe exposure.
Diagnosis
One-time exposure to asbestos doesn't generally result in mesothelioma. It takes repeated exposure to microscopic asbestos particles for symptoms to develop. A single exposure to asbestos could lead to asbestosis, or other asbestos-related ailments when the incident is sufficient that asbestos is able to settle into the body's tissues. For example, many people who were exposed to asbestos in New York City after the 9/11 attacks might have inhaled enough harmful material to suffer later health issues.
Asbestosis and other asbestos-related illnesses require a long time to develop. This means that victims might not remember their exposure or link it to their health problems. As well, the symptoms of asbestos are similar to the symptoms of other diseases. This can make mesothelioma difficult to detect. If it is not diagnosed correctly, it could cause fatal or serious consequences for mesothelioma patients.
If you suspect mesothelioma in yourself, it is important to visit your doctor right away. The doctor will conduct a physical examination and take down their medical history to help identify the possible causes. The doctor can also run tests to look for signs of the disease, such as a chest X-ray or a CT scan. These tests can reveal the lung's lining (pleura) is thickened due to calcium deposits, or the presence of fluid between the lungs' and chest wall. This is known as a "pleural effusion".
Depending on the site of the mesothelioma other tests could be required. A doctor may have to conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. During the procedure the doctor will insert an needle into the body of the patient to remove some of the tissue to be examined. Alternatively, the doctor might perform surgery to obtain an in-situ sample of mesothelioma. They will use an instrument equipped with a camera to view the area they are operating on, and they will pass special instruments into the patient's body through the tube to collect the tissue sample.
Since mesothelioma is a rare disease, it is important that patients seek medical attention right away if they think they might have the disease. They must inform their doctor of any exposure to asbestos so that they can note the exposure in the patient's medical history and keep an eye out for any recurring symptoms or signs of mesothelioma.
Treatment
Asbestos is an assortment of minerals that naturally occur. In the past, people used them to build up products or for other industrial uses such as fire resistance and insulation. As time passes asbestos has come to be known as a hazardous substance due to its capacity to cause cancers and other illnesses when inhaled by humans. People who work with or around asbestos are at greater risk how is mesothelioma caused of developing serious health issues than those who don't. The good news is that these symptoms can take a while to show up. The first symptoms of asbestos exposure generally don't appear until 10-40 years after the initial exposure.
Asbestos fibers are released into the air when asbestos is disturbed. They can easily be inhaled. The body's natural defenses typically eliminate the majority of these fibers, but they can sometimes bypass these defenses and settle in the lungs. Over time, this can result in lung diseases such as pleural effusions (a accumulation of fluid within the lung's space) asbestosis or mesothelioma.
The rates of these diseases increase in proportion to the number of years a person has spent being exposed to asbestos. The exact duration of latency for mesothelioma isn't known as many studies haven't tracked patients for that long. Mesothelioma could occur in the linings of the lungs, the heart, or other locations where mesothelium gets formed.
The prognosis for mesothelioma maligna is poor. It is typically fatal if not detected and treated at an early stage. It can be difficult to identify and symptoms can be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses.
Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should consult a doctor right away if they develop any symptoms that could be connected to the disease. If they are diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases, they should discuss their legal options with New York mesothelioma attorneys to learn what compensation may be available. This could cover medical expenses and other expenses associated with the disease.