Can Exposure to Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?
The harmful mineral asbestos can cause many types of diseases. These include lung cancer and mesothelioma maligna, which affects the chest lining abdomen, lungs and heart. These diseases can be caused by any type of asbestos exposure, but they are more prevalent following long-term exposure.
The exposure to asbestos can occur when products that contain the material are disturbed during demolition, product use, or home and building maintenance. It is also possible to become sick from exposure to asbestos through indirect contact with family members or friends who have worked with asbestos-containing materials.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos-related diseases occur when tiny fibers cause irritation to tissues. Exposure to asbestos can occur when an individual works with the substance, walks close to it, or inhale its particles. Asbestos-related workers have the highest chance of developing asbestos-related illnesses However, even one exposure to this harmful material can be harmful.
Inhalation is the most common type of asbestos exposure. It is possible to inhale asbestos while mining the mineral, working to make or install products containing asbestos, rehabilitating older buildings or handling other materials that contain asbestos. Once a person inhales asbestos, the microscopic fibers may reach the lining around the chest wall and lungs (called the pleura) and begin to cause irritation. This irritation can cause inflammation, scarring, and eventually cancer.
Mesothelioma-related symptoms typically don't manifest until 20 to 50 years after the time a person experiences exposure to asbestos. The symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and dry cough. The patient may also develop an accumulation of fluid in the lungs, referred to as an pleural effusion. This symptom can be annoying and painful, however it is usually harmless.
Many people are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease because they have reported working with or being exposed to asbestos however, they haven't experienced any symptoms until recently. Because of this long period of latency some doctors are not convinced that one exposure to asbestos can be responsible for mesothelioma and other diseases associated with the mineral.
It is crucial to keep in mind that there's no safe level of exposure to asbestos. The more asbestos a person is subjected to, the greater the risk of developing long-term health problems.
The average latency period for pleural mesothelioma is 30 years after the person first experiences exposure to asbestos. This is why it is so important to be aware of any potential asbestos exposure at work, home or in other settings. All asbestos-containing substances must be handled by asbestos abatement experts. Anyone who is exposed to asbestos should wear a respirator and adhere to strict safety guidelines when handling the materials. They should also double-bag or label wet rags as well as PPE to prevent the spread of asbestos fibers.
Signs and symptoms
Asbestos is a hazardous mineral that was used in many 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 serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can develop years after exposure. The reason for this is because mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of common diseases like lung cancer, respiratory problems and other medical diseases.
The symptoms of mesothelioma vary depending on the type and the location of the cancer. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma which affects the lungs, are usually coughing, breathlessness and chest pain. The accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity may cause pain and fatigue for patients with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. Other asbestos-related symptoms include abdominal pain and loss of weight.
Following exposure to asbestos mesothelioma may develop between 10 and 50 years later. The asbestos-related disease is slow to develop and doesn't display obvious signs until it has reached a more advanced state. Because the symptoms are indistinct and similar to those of other conditions and conditions, a lot of doctors are not able to recognize mesothelioma.
Patients should consult their primary care physician about any new or persistent symptoms that they are experiencing. They should inform the doctor about their past experiences with asbestos as well as any prior health issues. This will help the physician think about mesothelioma as a possible diagnosis.
If someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma they will undergo a peritoneal biopsy in order to confirm the diagnosis. They will also undergo an CT scan as well as an MRI or blood tests to determine their severity 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 work on home renovations or who have family members who work in construction might be at risk of asbestos exposure. Some people have developed mesothelioma after wearing work clothes home or to school. However, this is not common as the majority of patients develop mesothelioma after long or intense exposure.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is rarely caused by one exposure to asbestos. It requires repeated exposure to tiny asbestos particles for the symptoms to develop. One exposure to asbestos could cause asbestosis or other asbestos-related ailments when the incident is severe enough to cause asbestos to settle into the body's tissue. For instance, many people who were exposed to asbestos in New York City after the 9/11 attacks might have breathed in enough toxic substances to develop later health issues.
Asbestosis, as well as other asbestos-related diseases, can take decades to develop. Thus, patients may not be aware of their exposure or link it to their health issues. Asbestos-related symptoms could be similar to those of other illnesses. This makes mesothelioma a challenge to detect. A mistake in diagnosis could result in grave or fatal consequences for mesothelioma sufferers.
If you suspect mesothelioma within yourself it is essential to consult your physician immediately. The doctor can perform an examination and conduct a medical examination in order to narrow down the possibilities. The doctor may also perform tests to look for signs of illness, such as an chest CT scan or an X-ray. These tests will reveal if the lung's lining (pleura) has thickened with calcium deposits or if fluid is accumulating between the chest wall and the lungs which is known as an effusion of the pleura.
Depending on the site of the mesothelioma other tests could be required. For example, a doctor might require a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. In the course of the procedure, the doctor will insert a needle into the patient's body and take a small amount of tissue for examination under the microscope. Alternatively, the doctor might perform surgery to obtain mesothelioma samples. They will make use of tubes with a video camera inside to observe the area they're operating on, and they can introduce specific tools into the body of the patient via the tube to collect samples of the patient's tissue.
Because mesothelioma is so rare it is essential that patients seek medical attention right away if they suspect they may be suffering from the disease. It is important to inform your doctor if they've ever been exposed to asbestos. This will enable them to record the information in the medical records of the patient and watch for any future symptoms or symptoms of mesothelioma.
Treatment
Asbestos is a variety of minerals that are naturally occurring. People have used them in the past to strengthen products, as well as for various industrial applications, like insulation and fire resistance. As time has passed asbestos has come to be known as a hazardous substance because of its ability to cause cancers and other diseases when inhaled by humans. People who work around or with asbestos are at greater risk of developing serious health problems than those who don't. The good news is that these symptoms can take a while to show up. Typically, the first symptoms of exposure to asbestos do not manifest 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 human body's natural defenses typically remove the majority of these fibers however, they may be able to bypass the defenses and get trapped in the lungs. This can result in lung other causes of mesothelioma diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma, or pleural effusions.
The rates of these disease generally increase in a manner that is proportional with the cumulative number of years the patient has been exposed to asbestos. However, the exact time period for mesothelioma isn't known as many studies have not tracked patients for this long period of time. Mesothelioma can be found in the lung lining (pleural mesothelioma), lining of the heart (peritoneal mesothelioma) or any other place in which mesothelium is formed.
Malignant mesothelioma suffers from an unfavorable prognosis. It is typically fatal if not diagnosed and treated early on. It can be difficult to diagnose and the symptoms can be mistaken for other ailments.
If you've been exposed asbestos, it is important to see a doctor right away when you notice any signs. If diagnosed with asbestos-related conditions it is recommended that they discuss their legal options with New York mesothelioma attorneys to learn what compensation may be available. This could cover medical expenses and other costs associated with the illness.