Pneumoconiosis
Pneumoconiosis Treatment
Treatment
If you have pneumoconiosis and develops breathing problems, your doctor may recommend avoiding further exposure to dust from the ore. May prescribe one or two drugs that are inhaled to decrease inflammation in your airways and help keep open their airways.
If the blood oxygen level is less than 90%, you may need to breathe oxygen at home. Furthermore, to protect their lungs damaged respiratory infections, your doctor will recommend vaccinations against influenza and pneumococcal infections. If you develop a respiratory infection, you may need to be treated with antibiotics. Read the rest of this entry »
Pneumoconiosis Prevention
Duration
Pneumoconiosis cause permanent lung changes. However, you can prevent further worsening the problem.
Prevention
Pneumoconiosis almost always preventable. To reduce the risk, you can:
- Limit exposure to mineral dusts in the workplace: workers who are in daily contact with mineral powders should follow approved measures (protective clothing and equipment) to limit exposure and prevent lead dust on their clothes of asbestos to their homes. If you use a mask or respirator to protect against dust, you should use it properly and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Read the rest of this entry »
Pneumoconiosis | Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms
Pneumoconiosis often causes no symptoms. When symptoms are present, these may include:
- cough (with or without mucus)
- wheezing
- shortness of breath, especially when exercising
If the cause pneumoconiosis severe pulmonary fibrosis, breathing can become extremely difficult. When this happens, the patient’s lips and nails of the fingers may have a bluish tint. In cases of advanced disease may also have signs of inflammation (swelling) caused by too much strain on the heart. Read the rest of this entry »
Pneumoconiosis
Pneumoconiosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling mineral dust particles, usually when performing high risk work related to the minerals industry. At first, irritating mineral dust can trigger lung inflammation, which causes temporary damage in areas of the lung. Over time, this damage in the areas of the lung may progress to form fibrous tissue deposits. This stage of pneumoconiosis is called fibrosis. Fibrosis stiffens the lungs and interferes with the normal exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs.
There are several different types of pneumoconiosis. In the U.S., the most common types include:
Asbestosis: Asbestos is the general name for the family of irritating fibrous minerals that are extracted from underground tanks and used for the production of home insulation, fireproofing materials, floor tiles and shingles for roofing, cladding automobile brakes and other products. Workers with high exposure to asbestos include miners, construction workers, demolition workers, ship builders and auto mechanics who work with brakes. Amiento exposure can also affect people who live or work in buildings where building materials containing asbestos is damaged. In most cases, signs of asbestosis do not develop until 20 years later or even longer once the person was first exposed to asbestos dust. Read the rest of this entry »