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What is the most severe health problem associated with asbestos?

What is the most severe health problem associated with asbestos?

Asbestosis (as-bes-TOE-sis) is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Prolonged exposure to these fibers can cause lung tissue scarring and shortness of breath. Asbestosis symptoms can range from mild to severe, and usually don’t appear until many years after continued exposure.

Can asbestos cause brain problems?

The possibility of other asbestos-induced health effects does exist. These include brain-related tumors, blood disorders due to the mutagenic and hemolytic properties of asbestos, and peritoneal fibrosis.

What are the signs of asbestosis?

Symptoms of asbestosis

  • shortness of breath.
  • persistent cough.
  • wheezing.
  • extreme tiredness (fatigue)
  • pain in your chest or shoulder.
  • in more advanced cases, clubbed (swollen) fingertips.

    What are the health effects of asbestos exposure?

    Not everyone with pleural changes will have problems breathing, but some may have less efficient lung function. Asbestos exposure also increases the risk of developing certain cancers: Lung cancer is a malignant tumor that invades and blocks the lung’s air passages.

    How does asbestos cause scarring in the lungs?

    Asbestosis is scarring in the lungs caused by breathing asbestos fibers. Oxygen and carbon dioxide do not pass in and out of scarred lungs easily, so breathing becomes harder.

    What kind of cancer can you get from asbestos?

    In addition to lung cancer and mesothelioma, asbestos exposure can also cause cancer of the larynx and ovary. Current evidence also suggests asbestos exposure may cause cancer of the pharynx, stomach, and colorectum. Advice for people concerned about asbestos exposure.

    How can you tell if you have asbestos in your lungs?

    Fluid may accumulate around the lung. This fluid collection, called a pleural effusion, can be the first sign of asbestos-related disease. Often, these fluid collections have no associated symptoms, resolve on their own, and recur sporadically. However, some patients may experience pain or bleeding around their lungs.

    Not everyone with pleural changes will have problems breathing, but some may have less efficient lung function. Asbestos exposure also increases the risk of developing certain cancers: Lung cancer is a malignant tumor that invades and blocks the lung’s air passages.

    How is asbestosis related to the development of cancer?

    Asbestosis takes less time to develop than cancer, so an asbestosis diagnosis signals a high risk of developing mesothelioma in the future. Asbestosis is caused only by exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos causes microscopic fibers to become lodged within lung tissue, causing damage and scarring.

    Asbestosis is scarring in the lungs caused by breathing asbestos fibers. Oxygen and carbon dioxide do not pass in and out of scarred lungs easily, so breathing becomes harder.

    Is it dangerous to breathe in asbestos fibers?

    All types of asbestos fibers are dangerous if you breathe them. Some people say that some kinds of asbestos fibers are less dangerous. Many people, including doctors and scientists, disagree. Until proven safe, treat all asbestos as dangerous. You cannot tell when asbestos is in the air or is hurting your lungs.