Dictionary Definition
asbestosis n : lung disease caused by inhaling
asbestos particles
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Etymology
From asbestos + -osisPronunciation
- a UK /ˈæs.bɛsˌtəʊ.sɪs/ /"
Extensive Definition
Asbestosis is a chronic
inflammatory
medical condition affecting the parenchymal tissue
of the lungs. It occurs
after long-term, heavy exposure to asbestos, e.g. in mining, and is therefore regarded
as an occupational
lung disease. Sufferers have severe dyspnea (shortness of breath)
and are at an increased risk regarding several different types of
lung
cancer.
As clear explanations are not
always stressed in non-technical literature, care should be taken
to distinguish between several forms of relevant diseases.
According to the World
Health Organisation (WHO), these may be defined as; asbestosis
(the subject of this article), lung cancer,
and mesothelioma
(generally a very rare form of cancer, but increasing in frequency
as people exposed to asbestos age).
Signs and symptoms
The primary symptom of asbestosis is generally the slow onset of shortness of breath on exertion. In severe, advanced cases, this may lead to respiratory failure. Coughing is not usually a typical symptom, unless the patient has other, concomitant respiratory tract diseases.People with extensive
occupational exposure to the mining, manufacturing, handling or
removal of asbestos are at risk of developing asbestosis. There is
also an increased risk of lung cancer
and mesothelioma.
Asbestosis and lung cancer require prolonged exposure to asbestos.
However, cases of mesothelioma have been documented with even 1-3
months of exposure, and only indirect exposure (through air
ventilation system.) Most cases of asbestosis do not become
apparent until 5-10 years after the initial exposure to the
material.
Pathogenesis
Asbestosis is the scarring of lung tissue (around terminal bronchioles and alveolar ducts) resulting from the inhalation of asbestos fibers. There are two types of fibers, amphibole (thin and straight) and serpentine (curved). The former are primarily responsible for human disease as they are able to penetrate deeply into the lungs. When such fibers reach the alveoli (air sacs) in the lung, where oxygen is transferred into the blood, the foreign bodies (asbestos fibers) cause the activation of the lung's local immune system and provoke an inflammatory reaction. This inflammatory reaction can be described as chronic rather than acute, with a slow ongoing progression of the immune system in an attempt to eliminate the foreign fibres. Macrophages phagocytose (ingest) the fibers and stimulate fibroblasts to deposit connective tissue. Due to the asbestos fibres' natural resistance to digestion, the macrophage will die off, releasing certain cytokines and attracting further lung macrophages and fibrolastic cells to lay down fibrous tissue, which eventually forms a fibrous mass. The result is interstitial fibrosis. The fibrotic scar tissue causes alveolar walls to thicken, which reduces elasticity and gas diffusion, reducing oxygen transfer to the blood as well as the removal of carbon dioxide.Asbestosis presents as a
restrictive lung disease. The total
lung capacity (TLC) may be reduced through alveolar wall
thickening. In the more severe cases, the drastic reduction in lung
function due to the stiffening of the lungs and reduced TLC may
induce right-sided heart failure (cor
pulmonale).
More than 50% of people
affected with asbestosis develop plaques in the parietal
pleura, in the space between the chest wall and lungs.
Clinically, patients present with dry inspiratory crackles,
clubbing of the
fingers, and a diffuse fibrotic pattern in the lower lung lobes
(where asbestosis is most prevalent).
Treatment
There is no curative treatment. Oxygen therapy at home is often necessary to relieve the shortness of breath. Supportive treatment of symptoms includes respiratory physiotherapy to remove secretions from the lungs by postural drainage, chest percussion, and vibration. Nebulized medications to thin secretions may be prescribed.Legal issues
The first lawsuits against
asbestos manufacturers were in 1929. Since then, many lawsuits have
been filed against asbestos manufacturers and employers , for
neglecting to implement safety measures after the link between
asbestos, asbestosis and mesothelioma became known (some reports
seem to place this
as early as 1898 in modern times). The liability resulting from
the sheer number of lawsuits and people affected has reached
billions of dollars. The amounts and method of allocating
compensation have been the source of many court cases, and
government attempts at resolution of existing and future
cases.
See also
References
External links
asbestosis in Danish:
Asbestose
asbestosis in German:
Asbestose
asbestosis in Spanish:
Asbestosis
asbestosis in French:
Asbestose
asbestosis in Croatian:
Azbestoza
asbestosis in Indonesian:
Asbestosis
asbestosis in Italian:
Asbestosi
asbestosis in Malay
(macrolanguage): Penyakit Asbestosis
asbestosis in Dutch:
Asbestose
asbestosis in Polish: Pylica
azbestowa
asbestosis in Slovenian:
Azbestoza
asbestosis in Finnish:
Asbestoosi