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Diseases Resulting From Exposure To Asbestos

Lately there has been a rise in the number of cases due to asbestos exposure. This is not because asbestos is more common now (quite the contrary), but rather because the fibers that cause the problem can take as long as 20 or 30 years to reveal themselves. And this means a long period of dormancy and then a sudden onslaught of symptoms. The problem is that many of the symptoms share commonalities with other diseases, and so the real cause can be difficult to find.

Asbestos was a popular material for insulation because it is a good insulator and fire retardant. No wonder, it has been used in many buildings, and because it does not cause problems, unless stirred, it has not been replaced in most buildings. However, the symptoms of cancer or asbetosis, which is incurable, can be traced to exposure to this substance years ago.

Crews today who work around old construction sites in demolition or remodeling may be exposed to asbestos, and this can cause them to inhale the small fibers. That is what asbestos is, microscopic fibers, usually inhaled through the mouth or nose. When the fibers are floating around in the air, they are breathed into the body and then often come to rest in the lining of the lungs.

Since the illness takes decades to manifest, the damage is not immediately apparent. This can explain the rise in the number of poisoning cases today. Initially, the poisoning is likely to be diagnosed as lung disease since the symptoms are common.

The symptoms associated with asbestos-related illness include increased shortness of breath over time and coughing. These are symptoms that often accompany other diseases, and are often associated with less deadly illnesses. Many people feel that these are not serious symptoms and that they do not need to be addressed. Any time you experience a persistent cough or shortness of breath, however, it is important to be checked.

Other symptoms related to asbestos disease include chest pain, hoarseness, and coughing up blood. These symptoms can be considered more dangerous if persisting, although their cause not often construed to be asbestos. It is important to have proper tests run if you experience these symptoms and know that you have probably been exposed to asbestos at some point in your life.

Seeing a specialist can help you determine whether or not your problem is asbestos related. If you fear that you have been exposed through work, then speak with your doctor about your concerns and see if you can get a referral to a specialist. It is very important that you catch signs of asbestos early.

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