Hello, These symptoms started about 2 or 3 months ago, after walking for several miles.
I am 64, and have shortness of breath that comes on...
Hello, These symptoms started about 2 or 3 months ago, after walking for several miles.
I am 64, and have shortness of breath that comes on once or twice a day, as well as coughing up flem. I've been to the heart doctor and he says my heart is fine. Nothing has showed up on my chest x rays.
I have been exposed to asbestus in my work, years ago. I have an appointment with a lung doctor in a couple of weeks.
Anyone have any ideas?
Asbestosis and mesothelioma, come to mind, but I was told those should have shown up on the chest x ray from my family doctor.
I was cleaning out my grandads shed, because he is ill and has the disease mesiotheloma, and we moved some stuff that may have contained or is asbestis. Plus, we found out that there is asbestis in the walls of the shed, and that if the walls were knocked or vibrated, it would disturb the asbestis fibres within. So, what im wondering and im quite worried about, is would i be at risk of breathing in these asbestos fibres, and developing a related cancer to asbestosis or something?
I've had a cough since that time, but it has never gotten worse, but it's never gotten better. My voice goes out quickly, I can't talk for long periods of time.
Whenever I mention this to a doctor, they just prescribe cough medicine, but all cough medicine has stuff in it that I'm intolerant of, so I end up not taking it.
Should I be worried about asbestosis or mesothelioma. And if so, can it be cured?
Asbestosis and mesothelioma have symptoms that make it hard to distinguish the signs of asbestos disease from the signs of hundreds of other respiratory illnesses. Monitoring your symptoms can help you recognize when the signs of your symptoms start flashing “get medical attention now” because asbestosis or mesothelioma are on the way.
Asbestosis and mesothelioma are both diseases which can be attributed to asbestos exposure. Although some of their symptoms and signs of disease are similar, there are fundamental differences. Asbestosis is a lung disease, referred to as “pulmonary fibrosis” in medical fields. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer. Asbestosis can develop into mesothelioma. Anyone who has a history of working or living with asbestos is at risk for either disease, and is also seven times more likely to suffer from lung cancer.
There are symptoms of the disease that are familiar to many heart and lung diseases. For example, swelling at the tops of fingers and toes from an accumulation of excess blood is called “clubbing.” This is a familiar sign of heart disease or lung disease, and particularly in diagnosing asbestosis.
The most noticeable first symptom of asbestosis and mesothelioma is difficulty breathing. Obviously, this is a symptom of a plethora of diseases and a result of many normal human activities. For smokers, smoking is likely the cause of difficulty breathing. Smoking and asbestos are a deadly combination, and diagnosis of the disease is far more difficult when a person has a history of smoking. However, there are some notable signs that difficulty with breathing is a suspect for asbestosis or mesothelioma, rather than due to smoking. The breathing difficulties will become notably progressively worse and will be wrought with frequent spasms. The difficulty in breathing then leads to chest pain for asbestosis and mesothelioma patients.
Pain in the side of the chest and the lower back while suffering from progressive difficulty breathing is a symptom of Mesothelioma. Symptoms are more severe than asbestosis. High fevers, muscle weakness, and sensory loss are signs that the cancer has attacked the chest or even the abdominal area – and coughing up blood is not uncommon.
Asbestosis and mesothelioma symptoms and signs of disease are so common to other instances of lung disease and heart disease, that diagnosis often requires a long series of tests to distinguish the respiratory symptoms from one disease to another. Providing a history of asbestos exposure to your physician can help the physician prioritize the tests based on the most likely contributors to the cause of your symptoms. Asbestosis and mesothelioma both require substantial medical care as the diseases progress. Although there is not a cure for either, pain can be monitored and reduced with early diagnosis. If you’ve been exposed to asbestos, even from decades ago, monitor your symptoms and make an appointment with a physician if you begin having the symptoms of asbestosis or mesothelioma. A symptom is a sign of disease - and any signs of asbestosis or mesothelioma should direct you to get the medical attention you need to lessen your pain before it gets any worse.
In the 20th century many people have been exposed to asbestos not even knowing it. Asbestos is a fibrous silicate mineral notable for its chemical- and heat-resistance and electricity non-conducting. Asbestos was widely used in industry and everyday life until 1980 when the EU and many other developed countries have banned it.
When swallowed or inhaled asbestos can stay in the human body producing toxic effect which may result in a number of serious diseases, such as asbestosis, Mesothelioma (Mesothelium cancer), lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, colorectal cancer, and other illnesses.
Mesothelioma (also known as "asbestos cancer") is a most common asbestos-related type of cancer. The Mesothelium is a cellular membrane lining certain cavities of the human body. Mesothelioma may develop in lung, abdominal, scrotal, and heart sac cavities, the four types of M. being called Pleural, Peritoneal, Testicular, and Pericardial. In 70 percent of cases Mesothelioma is pleural in origin.
Up to 3000 cases of malignant Mesothelioma are registered in the United States every year.
Mesothelioma is often diagnosed at its later stage because its symptoms usually appear 20 to 50 years after the initial asbestos exposure. Another reason of untimely diagnosis is that the symptoms of Mesothelioma (i.e. chest pain, continual coughing, short breath, fatigue or fever etc) resemble less severe and quite common conditions, such as influenza.
Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease which causes abnormal growth and division of the mesothelium cells. They can invade and damage the adjusting tissues and organs and the cancer cells can also spread from their original location to other parts of the body. Mesothelioma mostly starts in the peritoneal cavity. More than 90% of mesothelioma cases are connected with asbestos exposure. Smoking combined with asbestos exposure significantly increases a person’s risk of developing mesothelioma.
Asbestos disease, mesothelioma cancers, lung cancers and
asbestosis are the diseases caused because of asbestos exposure.
Asbestos constitutes different naturally occurring fibrous
minerals in some rocks and soil. It has found widespread use in
industries and building materials such as fireproofing, roofing
shingles, electric insulation, furnace, hot pipe covering, and
friction products.
Recent studies have, however, revealed that exposure to asbestos
can have damaging health implication resulting in asbestos
disease and mesothelioma for both workers in industries making
use of asbestos as well as those who live in the environment
surrounding such places. Workers may inhale fine asbestos
particles in the air; they also become exposed through skin
contact with asbestos or by swallowing asbestos fibers while at
work. These workers are vulnerable to asbestos diseases as
mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Serious Effects Of Asbestos Disease- Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is the most serious of several asbestos-related
diseases detected so far. This is because of the carcinogenic
effect of asbestos particles. Asbestos can cause cancer of the
lungs, esophagus, colon, rectum, stomach, vocal chords, and
kidneys. About 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases of asbestos
disease mesothelioma - a rare type of cancer of the mesothelium,
the membrane that covers and protects most of the body internal
organs - are the result of asbestos exposure at work.
Asbestos disease mesothelioma may not immediately manifest. The
asbestos particles can lie dormant in the body for several years
and manifest later, when the prognosis is very grim. It is
possible that by the time the disease is diagnosed, the cancer
may have already spread significantly. In view of health
concerns all new uses of asbestos in the manufacturing
industries have been banned in the United States from July 1989
onward. In particular, the use of asbestos in hand-held hair
dryers was voluntarily stopped in 1979. Schools are required to
test for use of asbestos roofing and it is removed or covered up.
Compensation To Victims Of Asbestos Disease Mesothelioma
The first case of asbestos disease mesothelioma was filed nearly
70 years ago. Employees in industries with considerable risk of
asbestos poisoning are, in principle, eligible for mesothelioma
compensation. The compensation is available only for those
employees who run the risk of asbestos exposure since the 1940s.
Recently, many mesothelioma patients have filed lawsuits for
compensation. They have been awarded compensation on the ground
that the owners of industries continued to use asbestos despite
the information of the health hazards it entails. Currently,
help is available to victims of asbestos disease mesothelioma
through many specialized legal firms in the United States
Kirsten Hawkins is a self-improvement enthusiast and freelance writer from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.selfimprovement411.com/ for more great self-improvement tips, strategies, and resources.
i have had asbestos case with these ga. lawyers for 20yrs. on my husband (died asbestosis)and cancer everywhere. he was 35yrs.old then. they have given some money, and said the rest are in bankrupt. the checks i got did not have a company name except where the law.office had printed. i want to see the original checks they deducted my money from. his secretary told me i was getting to thousand march 1991, promised, i might have gotten 15 in all from different com.? through the yrs.i am in tenn.he is in ga. i just want to know if i have been taken advantage of or how can i find out.
