| During the 1940s up to the 1980s asbestos was used | | | | Treatments are available to manage the symptoms |
| in various commodities and construction materials | | | | but not the disease. It is important, though, to stop |
| including roofing, tiling, cement pipes, electric | | | | exposure to asbestos fibers as well as to dust, smoke |
| switchboards, home and office insulation, etc. Over | | | | and other irritants. Persons suffering from this disease |
| time, it was noted that asbestos exposure poses | | | | must be regularly vaccinated against flu and |
| certain health hazards. Asbestos fibers can | | | | pneumonia. Any respiratory infection can easily lead to |
| accumulate in the lungs and cause scarring and | | | | serious complications. |
| inflammation. This can lead to serious health problems | | | | Lung Cancer Treatment |
| requiring treatment methods such as radiation therapy, | | | | Long term exposure to asbestos can cause lung |
| chemotherapy and surgery. | | | | cancer. The symptoms include dry and irritating cough, |
| People can be exposed to asbestos in their homes, | | | | chest pain, increase in sputum production, blood mixed |
| communities or workplace. If products that contain | | | | with sputum and lung infection. |
| asbestos are disturbed, asbestos fibers are released | | | | Treatment for lung cancer depends on the location |
| into the air. When breathed in, these fibers get trapped | | | | and size of the tumor, and how much the cancer has |
| in the lungs. As more and more asbestos fibers | | | | spread. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy can be |
| accumulate, they cause inflammation and scarring. | | | | used to kill cancer cells. Another treatment option is |
| Prolonged exposure to asbestos can cause | | | | surgery where a part of the lung or an entire lung may |
| asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. The people | | | | be removed. |
| at risk are those involved in ship breaking, building | | | | Mesothelioma Treatment |
| renovation, and dismantling anything that contains | | | | Mesothelioma is a rare and fatal form of lung cancer. It |
| asbestos especially when they do not follow the | | | | affects the pleura or lung lining. It can take 30 to 40 |
| proper procedures. | | | | years to develop. Some of the symptoms of |
| Diseases related to asbestos exposure can take 15 to | | | | mesothelioma include shortness of breath, difficulty in |
| 40 years to develop. Early detection and treatment is | | | | breathing, constant pain in the chest, unexplained |
| the only way to contain the disease. | | | | weight loss and unexplained sudden abdominal swelling |
| Asbestosis Treatment | | | | and pain. |
| Asbestosis is caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers | | | | It has the same treatment as that for lung cancer, |
| over prolonged periods of time. It is a chronic lung | | | | namely radiation therapy, chemotherapy or surgery. |
| disease that takes around 15 to 20 years for | | | | If you have been exposed to asbestos in the past, it is |
| symptoms to appear. Symptoms of asbestosis may | | | | advisable to have yourself diagnosed by a surgeon |
| include shortness of breath, constant dry cough, | | | | who specializes in asbestos exposure cases. Early |
| difficulty in breathing, pain in the chest, excess phlegm | | | | detection is your best protection against diseases |
| and pulmonary hypertension. Persons with asbestosis | | | | caused by asbestos exposure. With an early diagnosis |
| are more prone to pneumonia and bronchitis. | | | | and asbestos exposure treatment, you can increase |
| At present, there is no cure for asbestosis. | | | | your chances of containing the disease. |