Inhaling asbestos fibers that are as small as 0.1 microns can cause mesothelioma. The disease causes lung inflammation and long-term scarring. It can take up to 30 years before symptoms begin to manifest.
Mesothelioma lawyers help patients receive legal compensation. They file lawsuits, trust fund claims and VA claims for veterans.
Pleural plaques
Pleural plaques can cause thickening of the pleura (the thin layer that lines inside the chest). They rarely cause symptoms and are only discovered by chance, for instance, when a patient undergoes chest radiography or CT scanning to check for other conditions, such as asbestosis or lung cancer. Pleural plaques are typically covered in fluid and can appear slightly visible on a chest x-ray. They are sometimes classified as calcified, which means the tissue is hardened and can be observed on a CT scan.
Pleuropulmonary plaques are not considered cancerous, but they do raise a person's risk of developing other more serious conditions like mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers, is a rare type of cancer. It is the only type of mesothelioma attorneys caused by asbestos exposure. Patients diagnosed with this disease are advised to tell their doctor of their asbestos exposure history.
Doctors make use of a variety of tools to diagnose pleural disease and pleural plaques which includes the pulmonary function test. This test examines the way the lungs work by measuring the amount of air that the lungs can hold and how quickly they breathe in and out. The lung can be examined more in depth by a doctor by using a magnetic resonance scan (MRI) or a computerized Tomography scan (CT).
These tests can assist doctors identify asbestos in the lung. However, they don't confirm if the pleural plaques are cancerous, so the procedure of taking a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis. A doctor can biopsy the plaques of the pleural region and send them to a lab to examine for signs of cancer. If the pleural plaques are cancerous, then the patient will be diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Lung cancers
Asbestosis is a condition that occurs when asbestos fibers are breathed in. The asbestos fibers are stuck in the lungs and cause scar tissue to grow. This scarring makes it hard for the lungs expand and fill up with fresh air. This can cause breathing problems and dry coughing. Crackling sounds may also accompany the coughing. As time passes, the condition can cause weight loss and fatigue. Untreated, advanced asbestosis can lead to pulmonary hypertension, clubbed fingers and feet and a weakened immune system.
Most people who are diagnosed with asbestosis developed the disease after exposure to asbestos over a lengthy period of time. The condition typically manifests within 20-30 years of exposure to asbestos, and the time of latency can be up to 50 years.
Asbestosis cannot be treated However, there are ways to reduce the symptoms and slow the progress of the disease. Doctors diagnose the condition by asking patients about their symptoms and history and conducting a physical exam. They also order lung function and imaging scans tests. If signs of scarring are seen on imaging scans, doctors can diagnose of asbestosis.
The most effective method of treating asbestosis is to prevent any new exposure to asbestos. Smoking cigarettes is also harmful for those with this condition, as it can further damage the lung. Patients can also consider an exercise program for pulmonary rehabilitation under a doctor's supervision to learn about breathing exercises and healthy eating. If a person has lung fluid accumulation, doctors can perform a non-invasive procedure known as thoracentesis that helps remove the fluid. Certain patients require oxygen therapy to breathe. If the condition becomes more severe or is accompanied by other lung diseases, such as emphysema, a transplant of the lung is a possibility.
Symptoms
Asbestos fibres can become lodged in the lung tissue of a patient and cause inflammation, scarring, and stiffness that can make breathing difficult. This condition is known as asbestosis, and is one of over 200 types of interstitial pulmonary disease. It is often referred to as occupational lung disease because it usually is seen in people who worked with or around asbestos prior to 1970, when government regulations limited exposure.
Asbestosis symptoms include dry cough, hacking, difficulty in breathing and tightness in the chest or abdomen. Pleural effusion is an additional early sign of asbestosis. It is a fluid accumulation in the chest or lungs. Other signs include lumps in the chest or lungs or ribs, pain around the ribs, fatigue, and a decrease in appetite. The symptoms range from mild to severe.
People suffering from lung problems must consult their physician immediately. The health care provider will conduct a physical examination and inquire about the history of their patients with asbestos. They can diagnose asbestosis if they hear crackling noises on their stethoscope, referred to as rales. Chest X-rays and lung function tests can help determine the extent of lung damage.
Doctors may order a CT scan or biopsy to identify mesothelioma. The cancer affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, and chest. Other symptoms of mesothelioma can be similar to those of asbestosis and include a constant cough and chest pain, lumps in the lungs, abdomen, and shortness of breath. Mesothelioma treatment options are chemotherapy, surgery or lung transplants. If you've been diagnosed with asbestosis, your doctor may prescribe medication to help with your symptoms and increase your breathing capacity.
Treatment
Asbestosis is not curable However, treatment can help reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life. Patients suffering from asbestosis should consult a doctor and follow his or her recommendations. They might also find that joining a support group with others who suffer from similar problems can be beneficial.
Asbestosis can be contracted when a person breathes in the tiny fibres that make up the deadly substance. The fibres are entangled in the lungs, which causes them to become scarred and stiff. People who are affected may have trouble breathing, and may experience pain or lumps in the chest, fatigue, coughing and difficulty walking up stairs. They won't feel as energetic as they used to be, and their fingernails as well as toenails might look enlarged or rounder than usual (clubbing of the fingers).
Symptoms typically appear after 20 years of exposure. It can take an extended time to identify asbestosis, and often it is mistaken for conditions like emphysema, chronic bronchitis or idiopathic lung fibrisis. Doctors examine the lungs using the help of a stethoscope. If they hear crackling noises or see damage to lung tissue they may suspect asbestosis. A high-resolution CT will show you the lungs and determine if they appear whitish. A pulmonary function test can assess the lungs' capacity to take in oxygen.
Avoiding asbestos and secondhand smoking is the only way to prevent further lung injury. If you have a history of asbestos exposure, you should see your family physician when you begin to notice shortness of breath. Your doctor might refer you to a lung specialist. The doctor may prescribe oxygen therapy to help you breathe better or suggest an organ transplant.
Compensation
A mesothelioma attorney can help a patient to file a lawsuit against the companies that are responsible for their asbestos exposure. They have handled asbestos-related claims and are aware of the products, companies and high-risk occupations that led to exposure. They are also able to connect patients with mesothelioma physicians and cancer centers.
The money received from a mesothelioma suit can cover treatment expenses and other financial losses. It also offers support to the families of those who have passed away from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses.
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can examine the specifics of a patient's exposure to asbestos and determine if they are eligible for an asbestos trust fund settlement or mesothelioma lawsuit. They can assist patients and their families when applying for SSDI or VA benefits.
It can take years before asbestosis symptoms develop which makes it difficult for people to realize they are suffering from a medical condition. The condition can cause problems such as difficulties breathing, pain in the fingers and toes, as well as a persistent cough.
A mesothelioma suit against companies which put their workers at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases can benefit families and victims. The money from the lawsuit could be used to cover the cost of living and caring for others. Compensation can also be used to pay funeral expenses. Asbestos sufferers should seek legal action as soon as they can to ensure that their lawsuit is filed within the timeframe of limitations. An attorney for mesothelioma can explain the laws and assist victims or their families file a lawsuit at the appropriate court. The earlier a lawsuit is filed, the more likely it will be to receive a payment from an asbestos trust fund or mesothelioma court decision.
