The Long-Term Effects of Asbestos Exposure on Lung Health

For years, asbestos was used in construction and manufacturing because it was particularly fire-resistant and provided excellent insulation. Asbestos is naturally occurring and is a group of silicate minerals. The material has been linked to a number of health issues, specifically long-term effects on the lungs. 

Asbestos and Lung Health

Inhaling asbestos fibers can trap them in the lungs, causing inflammation and even scarring after repeated, prolonged exposure. A range of diseases can occur because of this exposure. They can seriously impact an individual’s health.

Asbestosis

One of the diseases related to long-term asbestos exposure is the chronic lung disease called asbestosis. It is caused by an excess of scarring in the lungs. Symptoms include the following:

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Chest pain
• Fatigue

Developing asbestosis can increase the risks of being afflicted with other lung diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma. 

Lung Cancer

One of the leading causes of lung cancer in the United States is asbestos exposure. The lung cancer related to the material may not become evident for years or even decades following asbestos exposure. Some of the symptoms of lung cancer are listed below:

• Coughing
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Weight loss

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer, can impact the lungs, abdomen, or heart. This type of cancer is nearly always due to an exposure to asbestos. The risk increases with the amount and duration of the exposure. 

Symptoms include: 

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Weight loss

The Long-term Effects of Asbestos Exposure

The long-term effects of asbestos exposure vary because of the duration of the exposure and the amount the individual was exposed to. Typically, the more exposure, the more detrimental it can be to the health of the exposed person. Another factor is the victim’s susceptibility to lung issues from asbestos exposure.

Below are some of the long-term effects on the lungs of someone with prolonged exposure to asbestos. 

Compromised Lung Function

Prolonged asbestos exposure can cause a reduction in lung function. This makes breathing more difficult since the scar tissue and accompanying inflammatory issues caused by the asbestos fibers restrict air flow into the lungs. The following symptoms may occur:

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Wheezing

Increased Risk of Lung Cancer

As noted above, asbestos exposure is one of the leading causes of lung cancer. Asbestos-exposed smokers have an elevated risk of lung cancer, far more than non-smokers who have been exposed to dangerous fibers.

Increased Risk of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to treat, and the outcome is frequently bleak. It forms over decades of exposure and is silent within the body for a long time before symptoms appear. Once the symptoms present themselves, the cancer is often in the more advanced stages.

Increased Risk of Lung Diseases

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis have been linked to asbestos exposure. COPD is a set of lung diseases causing airflow obstruction like chronic bronchitis or emphysema. Pulmonary fibrosis causes the lungs to stiffen and scar, causing breathing to become a struggle.

How to Prevent and Treat Lung Diseases Related to Asbestos

Asbestos-related lung diseases can be prevented by avoidance of asbestos exposure. If your career involves asbestos exposure, follow the safety guidelines. Take measures to wear protective gear. Working in well-ventilated areas can lessen the impact of exposure.

What to do if You Have Been Exposed to Asbestos

Inform your doctor or another healthcare professional if you have had exposure to asbestos. As is the case with many severe health problems, early detection can improve the individual’s chances of having a better quality of life. Your healthcare provider will provide regular screenings for lung issues.

Treatment for lung diseases caused by asbestos exposure varies depending on the disease and its prevalence. Often, treatment will focus on the management of symptoms. Listed below are some of the typically prescribed treatments:

• Providing supplemental oxygen therapy
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Prescribing anti-inflammatory medications

Lung cancer and mesothelioma have treatments as well that are listed below: 

• Surgery
• Radiation
• Chemotherapy

These treatments are often combined to create the best possible outcome for the patient.

Detecting Asbestos Related Diseases

Asbestos fibers are microscopic and are not detectable by X-Ray when they are embedded into the lungs. But, they may help detect the early stages of damage to the lungs caused by asbestos. This can signal to your doctor that other tests could be necessary. 

Lung scans and computer-aided tomography (CAT scan) can also help detect changes within the lungs.

Take Screenings and Care Seriously

The long-term side effects from asbestos exposure can be very severe and even life-threatening. Lung diseases related to asbestos, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer, have a latency period and may not show up from ten to 40 years after exposure. 

The dose, or how much an individual was exposed to, and the duration of exposure, along with family traits, health factors, age, and gender, will play a role in how it affects the exposed person.

If you have been exposed to asbestos, early detection is essential for maintaining a strong quality of life. When you have worked in an industry that involves asbestos, your risk of developing an asbestos-related illness climbs. So, have regular screenings so you can receive the appropriate care.