Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was found to have great heat and fire resistant qualities to it. Unfortunately, studies have shown that long-term exposure to asbestos can lead to serious, if not deadly, health problems.
Generally, exposure to asbestos will affect the lungs and abdominal areas. Here is a breakdown of the more common illness associated with asbestos exposure.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is not a cancer. Rather, it is a long-term illness that causes the lungs to develop scar tissue. This scar tissue can reduce your breathing capacity, making it difficult for oxygen and carbon monoxide to enter and exit the lungs properly. Asbestosis is a slow progressing disease and can take 10 to 20 years to develop after the initial exposure to asbestos. This disease can range from showing little or no symptoms to being potentially fatal. Symptoms include:
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- Shortness of breath
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- Persistent cough producing mucus
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- Tightness in the chest
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- Chest pain
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- Loss of appetite
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- Dry, crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling
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- Cough producing blood or heavy amounts of phlegm
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- Shortness of breath
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- Hoarseness when speaking
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- Significant weight loss
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- Swelling in face or arms
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- Severe headaches or migraines
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- Vision problems
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- Chest, back, neck, stomach or bone pain