Asbestos Poisoning: Symptoms, Diseases, and Treatments

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in rock and soil. For centuries, people have used asbestos for wicks in candles, as fabric, and for other things. Asbestos was frequently employed in building construction before the 1970s. Due to its high fiber strength and heat resistance, it offers insulation and fire resistance.

However, exposure to asbestos causes several health concerns, particularly if it is inhaled. Your lungs can retain asbestos for a very long period, so you might not feel sick immediately, but it can be a serious health problem years later. We are going to share important information about asbestos poisoning and its effects.

Table of Contents

• What Is Asbestos Poisoning?
• What Are the Common Symptoms of Asbestos Poisoning?
• Is Asbestos Poisoning Treatable?
• Oxygen Treatment
• Chemotherapy, Radiation, or Surgery
• At Home Therapies
• Licensed Asbestos Removal Company

What Is Asbestos Poisoning?

Everyone has been exposed to asbestos materials to some extent. The air, water, and soil all contain trace amounts of asbestos. These concentrations, however, are not high enough to cause illness.

Unless they are discharged into the air, asbestos fibers are not dangerous. But, when the fibers are released, they disintegrate into tiny particles, and we breathe them in constantly. They then assemble in the lungs, resulting in inflammation and scarring. Asbestos is categorized as a carcinogen material by many American health organizations.

Your chance of contracting an illness due to asbestos depends on the following factors:

• How much asbestos were you exposed
• Duration of exposure
• Pre-existing lung disease or smoking
• A genetic mutation that causes you to be susceptible to acquiring illnesses

Knowing the factors that increase the risks of developing an asbestos-exposure disease, we want to highlight some of the most common illnesses coming from it:

• Lung cancer
• Asbestosis, which causes permanent lung damage
• Mesothelioma, cancer of the chest and stomach lining
• Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, and throat
• Scarring of the lung lining
• Pleural effusions, when fluid collects around the lungs 

What Are the Common Symptoms of Asbestos Poisoning?

Some common signs of asbestos exposure poisoning include:

• Breathing difficulty: Asbestos fibers inhaled can harm your lungs and make breathing challenging. Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is frequently the initial symptom of an asbestos-related sickness.
• Swollen parts of the body: About half of all asbestos poisoning victims have broader, rounder fingertips. And can also develop neck or face swelling.
• Extreme fatigue: Asbest poisoning frequently results in extreme fatigue because the lung and other body systems are compromised.
• Wheezing: When you take a deep breath, you may wheeze due to inflamed lungs. The wheezing you experience could be a symptom of asbestos exposure if you don’t smoke.

If you have known recent asbestos exposure, you should take any symptoms carefully. If you have been exposed to asbestos, make an appointment with a doctor, even if you do not yet show symptoms.

Is Asbestos Poisoning Treatable?

Unfortunately, asbestos exposure permanently damages the lungs. But some conditions of asbestos poisoning can be treated and managed, though. Treatment could slow the illness and control symptoms.

Depending on how asbestos has harmed your lungs, you may need specialized care for an asbestos-related condition. There isn’t a single, universal course of treatment. Some treatments for the severe illnesses that asbestos involves are:

Oxygen Treatment

Oxygen treatment can help with respiratory difficulties, shortness of breath, and low oxygen levels in the blood.

Chemotherapy, Radiation, or Surgery

Any of these could be used as part of your treatment if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer.

At-Home Therapies

But, if you are wondering if you can do something to treat it at home, avoiding lung irritants like cigarette smoke is one of the at-home therapies for asbestos-related diseases. Quit smoking as soon as you can. This is because smoking increases lung cancer risk in people who have been exposed to asbestos. 

There are other actions you can follow to maintain your health after asbestos exposure:

• Consume a healthy diet.
• Drink a lot of water
• Get enough rest, and when necessary, rest more
• Regular exercise
• To lessen the risk of illness, wash your hands frequently
• Vaccinate yourself against the flu and pneumonia if your doctor advises it
• Stay inside when pollen counts or air pollution levels are high

Your doctor may suggest specific medical procedures to treat asbestos toxicity. Some patients may need oxygen machines to increase the amount of air in their lungs.

Licensed Asbestos Removal Company

Hazardous asbestos was a typical component of building supplies. Its use has significantly decreased since we heard about its substantial health risks. Thousands of people are exposed to asbestos each year, and some will eventually get asbestos poisoning and its complications.

The best course of action if you think your home may contain asbestos is to hire a certified asbestos professional. We are a dependable local company with years of expertise working around Michigan. At Clean Cut Abatement, we offer high-quality asbestos testing, asbestos abatement, and asbestos removal services. Get in contact with our team today!