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Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Other Asbestos-Related IllnessesSignificant exposure to asbestos can cause a number of life-threatening illnesses. It can take a long time for mesothelioma, asbestosis and other asbestos-related illnesses to develop. They are often misdiagnosed as different illnesses.People with any level exposure to asbestos can develop diseases associated with it. However, the risk of mesothelioma pleural increases by four times the time since the first exposure.What is Mesothelioma?Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, develops in the lung linings and abdomen. It is an aggressive, potentially fatal cancer. It is believed to be caused by exposure to asbestos-containing materials or products, often in the workplace. The mesothelioma victims are typically firefighters, construction workers or veterans as well as others who worked with contaminated asbestos.It can take between 20 and 50 years after asbestos exposure before the symptoms of mesothelioma develop. The disease is named after the mesothelium, which is a thin layer of tissue that surrounds many organs in the body including the chest cavity, the lungs (pleura) as well as the stomach (peritoneum) and the heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos fibers that are absorbed into the mesothelium, causing irritation, which leads to scarring. Over time, the irritated cells develop abnormal genetic mutations and transform into cancerous tumors.There are four kinds of mesothelioma and each affects a different area of the body. Pleural mesothelioma is the most prevalent kind, accounting for approximately 80% of the cases diagnosed every year. Other types include testicular, pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma.The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary according to the part of the body affected and can range from respiratory issues like coughing and difficulty breathing to abdominal pain heart palpitations, and fluid in the lung (pleural effusion). Certain patients may also experience swelling of the hands or feet (finger clubbing) and fatigue, weight loss and fever. Mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize, as the initial symptoms are similar to other conditions such as lung diseases and cancer.It is, therefore, essential that anyone who has been exposed to asbestos inform their doctor about their previous exposure. Then, they should be monitored regularly for any symptoms of asbestos-related diseases, and mesothelioma. These regular examinations can result in a faster and more accurate diagnosis. This also decreases the chance of complications, such as latency. This means that the symptoms won't be ignored and could be misinterpreted as a sign of other illnesses, such as a change in the shape of the fingers and nails, also known as asbestosis or a normal sign of ageing.What is Asbestosis?Asbestos is a mineral found naturally that is very strong and resistant to heat. It was used in the past in a variety of industrial processes and consumer goods, including insulation, brakes, shingles, floor tiles and some types of cement. Exposure to asbestos fibers for some time can cause serious health issues, such as mesothelioma or asbestosis. Workers in certain fields such as those who are involved in mining and manufacturing asbestos-containing products, are more susceptible to exposure.Inhalation of asbestos fibers may cause scarring and stiffening in the lung tissue. Symptoms typically don't show up until a few years after exposure, known as the latency period. This is why it's crucial to disclose any asbestos-related history to your doctor so that they can conduct regular screenings.Those most susceptible to getting asbestosis are those who worked in construction, shipbuilding or other fields where exposure to asbestos was common before its ban. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos while at work is susceptible to developing the condition. The symptoms of asbestosis can vary in severity and are very difficult to identify.The diagnosis of asbestosis can be made by reviewing the medical history of a patient and performing a number tests for diagnosis. A chest X-ray can reveal asbestosis that is advanced, since it reveals areas of white on the lung that look like honeycombs. CT scans may show asbestosis symptoms more evidently than X-rays. A lung biopsy can be conducted to confirm the diagnosis. This involves the removal of small amounts of lung tissue to be analyzed under a microscope. The test reveals the extent of lung fibrosis. It also shows the presence of asbestos bodies and ferruginous bodies beaded rod-like structures that are covered in iron-containing proteins.It is possible to live with asbestosis, but it's a progressive illness that gets worse with time. It can cause breathing problems and may create pressure on the rest of the body's organs and tissues, including the heart. Some patients will need an intervention to stop fluid from coming back into the lung (pleurodesis) or a tube to remove the lungs at home on regular basis (pleurectomy). These procedures can improve breathing and enhance the quality of life.What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma and Asbestosis?After asbestos exposure, symptoms of mesothelioma or asbestosis may not manifest for a long time. This is referred to as the latency period and varies from one patient to the next, depending on the location of cancers and other factors.Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the mesothelium the lining that surrounds your organs. The most prevalent type is pleural mesothelioma which is a form of cancer that forms in the membrane surrounding your lung and chest wall (the pleura). It can also be found in the diaphragm or peritoneum.The signs of pleural mesothelioma generally start with a shortness of breath and a dry cough. They can also manifest as a stomach pain, fever and fatigue. As the cancer progresses it may expand to other parts of the body, causing different symptoms in each region.Asbestosis isn't a form of cancer however it's a respiratory condition which can trigger similar symptoms as mesothelioma. Both diseases result from inflammation resulting from asbestos exposure. The inflammation can cause scarring in the lungs, which can make breathing difficult. Asbestosis sufferers also experience a buildup of fluid around their lungs that can cause a worsening of symptoms.Both asbestosis and mesothelioma are linked to a myriad of other health problems such as fatigue and memory loss, headaches and depression as well as anxiety. In some cases mesothelioma patients have had digestive or heart issues as well.If you suspect you have mesothelioma in your body, your doctor will perform a physical examination and review your work history to determine whether or not you were exposed to asbestos. Blood tests may be conducted to check the health of your kidneys, liver and blood cells. Chest X-rays can reveal if there is thickening of the pleura, or fluid that is in the space between the lung and chest wall.Mesothelioma can be difficult to detect and is extremely rare. This is due to the fact that early mesothelioma symptoms often mimic symptoms of more common ailments, like influenza and pneumonia. Mesothelioma has a lengthy latent phase, which makes it difficult to recognize in its early stages. This is why it is often mistakenly diagnosed.What is the Treatment for Mesothelioma and Asbestosis?A biopsy is a piece of tissue that a doctor uses to diagnose mesothelioma and asbestosis. It is crucial to identify mesothelioma as early as possible because the disease has a long latency, meaning that symptoms may not manifest for years following asbestos exposure.A biopsy can be done using a variety of methods, such as the bronchoscopy procedure or needle biopsy. In lakeland asbestos lawyer , doctors insert a tube into breathing passages to visualize tissues and collect tiny samples for pathological analysis. In a needle biopsy, a doctor sticks a needle through the lung or chest wall to extract the small amount of fluid to be examined under microscope.The most common treatment for mesothelioma is surgery however radiotherapy and chemotherapy can also be utilized. However, mesothelioma is very difficult to treat and a lot of patients relapse after receiving first-line treatments.The people who are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma are miners, shipyard workers insulation contractors and construction workers. However, people working in hospitals and schools can also develop the illness when they have experienced prolonged exposure to asbestos-based building materials. Teachers, nurses, and former pupils of schools constructed with asbestos-containing materials have all been diagnosed with the disease.The best treatment for asbestosis is to control the symptoms. This includes breathing exercises and medications to treat symptoms like wheezing, chest pain, breathlessness and coughing. Symptoms are typically exacerbated by the accumulation of fluid around the lungs, which is referred to as pleural effusion. It is caused by inflammation and death of cells in the lining of the lungs and can be reduced by a procedure called VATS (video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure).Mesothelioma is a rare but serious cancer that is found in the lining of organs. It usually begins in the lungs, but can also be found in the peritoneum and heart. The exposure to asbestos is the cause. Asbestos is a grouping of minerals composed of microscopic fibers. It usually takes between 20 and 50 years after exposure before symptoms begin. The people who have been exposed are usually diagnosed with the disease in later years and men are more likely to be affected than women.