Asbestos disease takes several forms. It’s caused by the lethal substance which contains six forms of silicates. These silicate minerals are shaped into thin and long fibers. The tiny particles can drift through the air, creating severe health hazards.
Many of this substance’s properties made it a common building and manufacturing material, beginning during the late 19th century. Its strong fibers are effective sound-proofers. They are also fire, heat and chemical-resistant. As an insulator, it was widely installed in buildings and electrical systems.
Exposure to the substance can cause malignant mesothelioma, a rare variety of cancer. It attacks the protective linings of various internal organs. Most often, it develops along the linings of the chest wall and lungs, called the pleura. It can also develop among the regions of the testes, heart and abdomen.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain and weight loss. Chest x-rays and CT scans can reveal suspected areas of malignant growth. Diagnosis can be confirmed through biopsies, which are microscopic examinations of tissue samples. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory condition which affects the lungs. It often occurs after individuals are exposed to long-term or intense concentrations of this hazardous substance, and is considered an occupational illness. Those affected with this ailment frequently experience a severe shortness of breath, known as dyspnea, and they are at high-risk for developing lung malignancies.
Across the United States, asbestosis symptoms typically appear 20 to 30 years after being exposed. The first symptom tends to be dyspnea, particularly during times of physical exertion. Advanced stages can cause lungs to fail. No treatments are available, but the symptoms can be relieved through therapy with oxygen.
Those who contract asbestos disease are destined to experience ongoing health problems. That is a main reason for wide-spread bans of the hazardous material’s use. Its replacement in many cases is fiberglass.
Find an asbestos realted disease solicitor and make your Mesothelioma claim today.