What is Asbestosis ?

Asbestosis is a term for the effects that exposure to asbestos can have on the body. Exposure to asbestos – particularly over a prolonged period of time – can cause significant ill effects for those experiencing the exposure. Those most likely to be a risk are those who come into contact with it on a regular basis over a lengthy period, such as people working in areas such as demolition or building work, or in manufacturing work that involves asbestos products. Furthermore, the dangerous asbestos fibre can be carried via clothing, meaning that those coming into close contact with these workers – such as friends or family – may also be at risk of contracting the ill-effects. This is why, in general, asbestos is used much less frequently now than it used to be and, where it is still used, safety practices have been developed to protect those working with it from being exposed.

One of the major problems those working with asbestos had was that, even after prolonged exposure to the substance for a lengthy period, it was a much longer period still until they began to experience any of the symptoms of asbestosis. It can take anything from 25 to 40 years, following the major exposure to asbestos, before any symptoms begin to become apparent. Amongst the major symptoms are exhaustion, shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing. One of the main diseases that can be caught from exposure to asbestos is a thickening of the pleura – the outer membrane that provides the outside lining of the lungs. However there is also a particular type of cancer – mesothelioma – that can only be developed through coming into prolonged exposure to asbestos.

In terms of diagnosis, all that is usually required are tests of the lung function and chest x rays, coupled with the patient’s history – which will show the exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately there is no cure for asbestosis, but it is possible to prevent the progression of the symptoms through avoiding contact with asbestos.

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