Asbestos Symptoms in People

According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos describes a collection of naturally occurring fibrous minerals. Regularly used in the production of automobile brakes and building materials, asbestos is utilized because its anti-corrosion and heat-resistant properties. The use of asbestos paint in structures and homes ended in the 1980s, but any building constructed before this decade could present a potential health hazard. Individuals who inhale or ingest asbestos fibers may be symptom-free for years before realizing a problem has occurred.

Breathing Problems

• Individuals who have been exposed to asbestos experience problems breathing.

  The most prevalent symptom of individuals exposed to asbestos is shortness of breath. As the fibers are inhaled, they lodge within the lungs and other organs. Over time, this creates scar tissue in the lungs, and the exposed individual experiences a decrease in breathing capacity. The preliminary symptoms of asbestos exposure are similar to that of asthma. Over time, the person exposed to asbestos may develop one or more of several lung disorders.

Asbestosis

• Asbestosis is the medical term given to describe the symptoms that occur as the result of exposure to asbestos. Individuals who have developed asbestosis often have bouts of uncontrollable coughing. While this may not occur for 20 to 30 years after the initial exposure, symptoms will inevitably worsen. Exposed people may experience such disorders as plaque build-up in the lungs and even a form of cancer called mesothelioma. Patients experience breathing difficulty, lung pain and finger-clubbing, which is the inflammation of tissue underneath the fingernails and occurs as the result of the ongoing disease process. There are a variety of lung disorders that can cause this symptom, so consulting with a physician and obtaining an accurate diagnosis is essential to receiving the proper treatment.

Treating Symptoms

• Most people who have asbestos symptoms experience painful breathing on exertion.

  The symptoms of asbestos exposure start out minor but get progressively worse. Many individuals get to the point at which breathing hurts while performing any physical work. While there is no cure for asbestos exposure, physicians attempt to control symptoms and assist the patient in breathing more easily. To help keep the patient comfortable, doctors recommend using cool-mist vaporizers and utilizing home-based oxygen therapy. Blood-thinning medications are prescribed to keep the vessels relaxed and prevent blood clots in the lungs. In advanced cases, the physician may recommend a lung transplant.