Pneumoconiosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling industrial dust, which damages the lungs over time and causes difficulty breathing. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. There are several types of pneumoconiosis, and any form can cause serious health problems. Treatment options include avoiding further exposure to dust, medication, oxygen treatment, and lung transplants. If left untreated, it can lead to lung cancer.
Pneumoconiosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling various types of industrial dust. The dust causes inflammation of the lungs and gradually damages the lungs over time. The damage, in turn, causes fibrosis, a condition in which the lungs begin to stiffen. When this occurs, it becomes difficult for a person to breathe easily.
This respiratory disease sometimes causes no obvious symptoms. As symptoms develop, they include wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. If a person suffers from severe fibrosis, they find it hard to breathe. Fingernails and lips may turn blue and legs may swell. It often takes at least 10 years of exposure to industrial dust particles before symptoms become apparent.
There are several types of pneumoconiosis that affect people living in the United States, including coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, asbestosis, silicosis, siderosis of the lung, talc pneumoconiosis, and kaolin pneumoconiosis. Any form of the disease can cause serious health problems.
Coalman’s pneumoconiosis is caused by inhaling coal dust, graphite, carbon black, or carbon black. People who frequently work with this type of dust, such as coal miners, get this disease if they don’t wear protective equipment. Asbestosis is a form of the disease that often affects construction workers, auto mechanics and other people who work with asbestos. People who live or work in old buildings built with asbestos can get this form of the disease. It can often take about 20 years for symptoms to become apparent.
Silicosis is often diagnosed in people who work with a substance called silica. Miners, sandblasters, quarrymen, silica millers, and those who produce glass or pottery often suffer from silicosis. Lung siderosis is caused by inhaling iron particles. There are usually no symptoms present with siderosis of the lung.
Talc pneumoconiosis is caused by exposure to talcum powder. Kaolin pneumoconiosis results from the inhalation of kaolin. This is a substance used to make medicines, paper, cosmetics, ceramics and toothpaste.
If a person has had a job where they have had prolonged exposure to industrial dust particles, it is important that they contact a doctor. First, a doctor will advise the patient to avoid further exposure to industrial dust. The doctor may also prescribe medications designed to open up the bronchial tubes so the patient can breathe easier.
Oxygen treatment, vaccinations, and antibiotics are other methods a doctor can use to treat a patient suspected of suffering from this particular respiratory disease. Those with severe breathing difficulties may require lung transplants. If the condition is left untreated, lung cancer can occur. Cancer of the membranes lining the abdominal cavity and lungs can also occur.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
