Thursday, April 16, 2009

Asbestos Symptoms

Asbestos is a type of fibrous material that occurs naturally in silicate mineral. Overexposure to asbestos can occur via inhalation, which has been known to cause a variety of lung-related illnesses. These include lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.


Identification


Asbestos fibers are heat-resistant, which has made the material popular for industrial purposes. Long-term exposure to locations that manufacture or contain asbestos will likely lead to asbestos symptoms. If you have spent a significant amount of time in one of the following places, your health may be at risk: Construction site, automotive repair shop, asbestos product warehouse, mining operations, oil refinery, steel mill, shipyard and power plant.


Early Symptoms


Early asbestos symptoms most commonly manifest in lungs. These include: chest pain, chronic cough, shortness of breath, raspy voice and difficulty breathing.


Advanced Symptoms


Later, symptoms may begin to affect other organs and the patients general health. Other asbestos symptoms include: nausea, unexplained weight loss, anemia, digestive problems and night sweats.








Time Frame


Asbestos symptoms often do not manifest until years after exposure. This means that the negative effects of asbestos are often well under way before the individual knows there is a problem. Because of this, it is imperative that individuals who may have been exposed to high levels of asbestos be routinely screened so that any related condition may be pinpointed as soon as possible.


Warning








If you suspect that you have been exposed to asbestos, it is recommended that you seek medical help immediately. It is easy to put off treatment and explain away symptoms. However, doing so can dramatically affect your quality of life in the future.

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