Asbestosis Treatment in Delhi, India

Asbestosis is caused due to:

• Inhalation of asbestos: Asbestos fibres, when inhaled, get lodged in the lungs. Asbestos fibres are recognised as foreign invaders. Therefore, the immune system dispatches macrophages, white blood cells, to engulf the fibre, digest it, and flush it out of the body. Unfortunately, the human body cannot expel all fibres from the lungs.
• Exposure to asbestosis for long durations: People exposed to asbestos in their workplace for extended periods are more likely to acquire asbestosis. Asbestos miners, millers, and insulators who sprayed asbestos insulation are particularly at risk. Pipefitters, mechanics, boiler workers, construction workers, textile mill employees, industrial workers, and shipyard workers also have a significant risk of injury.

Asbestos exposure may damage the lungs and cause various symptoms in those exposed over time. A few of the symptoms of asbestosis are:

• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Wheezing
• Cough
• Swollen fingertips

Asbestosis is often diagnosed in older individuals exposed to asbestos fibers before modern safety precautions were in place. If somebody has been exposed to asbestos and is experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, they must see a doctor immediately.

Several diagnostic tests are conducted to detect asbestosis. Some of them are:

• Physical exam: Doctors will assess the candidate's medical history, enquire about their job, and the possibility of asbestos exposure as part of the physical exam. The doctor then uses a stethoscope to listen to the lungs closely as the candidate breathes in and out to see whether they create a crackling sound.
• X-ray of the chest: Excessive whiteness in the lung tissue is a symptom of advanced asbestosis. Both lungs might be afflicted by asbestosis to the point that they take on a honeycomb look if the disease is severe. This can be detected with the clear view provided by an X-ray.
• Extensive imaging with CT scan (computerised tomography): The cross-sectional pictures of the skeleton and soft tissues that a CT scan provides are a result of combining several X-ray images collected at various angles. In many cases, these scans give more information than a standard chest X-ray and may assist in identifying asbestosis before it becomes visible on a standard x-ray.
• Pulmonary function test: Some tests, called pulmonary function tests, tell how well the lungs work. The capacity of the lungs to take in a breath and the rate at which air leaves them are evaluated. The exam may include blowing as hard as possible into a spirometer, a device used to assess airflow. More extensive pulmonary function tests may determine the quantity of oxygen entering circulation.
• Bronchoscopy: A bronchoscope is a tiny tube inserted into the lungs through the nose or mouth. With the bronchoscope, the doctor may examine the lungs' airways, search for abnormalities, and take fluid or tissue samples (biopsy) if necessary.
• Thoracentesis: A local anaesthetic is injected into the vein, and a needle is inserted into the patient's chest wall, between the ribs and the lungs, to drain extra fluid for laboratory analysis and improve breathing. Ultrasound might help the doctor place the needle more precisely.

The results of the above-mentioned tests will be available within a day. The healthcare providers will suggest a concrete treatment plan based on the results.

Unfortunately, asbestosis is irreversible, although there are treatments that may reduce symptoms and halt the disease's course. The progression of the illness may be slowed by avoiding additional exposure to asbestos and other irritants, such as cigarette smoke. The healthcare provider may recommend breathing exercises and medication to help one feel more comfortable and keep the lungs healthy.

The doctor may also suggest the following to deal with asbestosis:

• Try to quit smoking- When combined with asbestos, smoking has been shown to hasten the development of illness. Multiple smoking-cessation programs are available to help smokers attempting to kick the habit.
• To help one breathe easily, the doctor may recommend oxygen therapy. Oxygen is administered from an oxygen tank through a tube that enters the nose or a mask.
• Every patient with a chronic lung illness may benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation, an exercise programme created just for them.
• Surgeons specialising in lung transplants may be consulted if the condition is severe enough.

The following are the activities to stay healthy while simultaneously working with healthcare providers to manage the symptoms:

• Maintain a healthy diet with plenty of water and a little salt.
• Try to get a good night's sleep; if required, one should also nap throughout the day.
• Exercise often to be as active as possible without risking injury.
• Wash hands often and get vaccinated against the flu and pneumonia, as recommended by healthcare experts, to keep illnesses at bay.
• When air pollution is terrible, and pollen counts are high, it is best to stay inside.
• Try to avoid secondhand smoking, car exhaust, smog, aerosols, and vapours released by everyday household items like paint, kerosene, and cleaning solutions while experiencing shortness of breath.
• Wearing a scarf over the mouth and nose can help one stay warmer when the temperature outside is low.

The risk of developing asbestosis depends on certain factors. Some of them are:

• Dosage of asbestos exposed to by an individual
• Duration of asbestos exposure
• The characteristics of asbestos fibres, including their size, shape, and chemical composition,
• Origin of the contamination
• Personal choices, including smoking and having a history of lung illness
• Causes inherited from one's parents, such as a BAP1 germline mutation

Although asbestos in any form is dangerous, various varieties of asbestos fibres may pose varying dangers to human health. Findings suggest amphibole forms of asbestos may be more dangerous than chrysotile, especially in terms of mesothelioma risk, since they tend to remain in the lungs for a longer length of time.

The risk of developing asbestosis may be significantly lowered by limiting one's contact with asbestos. Companies in sectors such as construction that operate with asbestos materials are required, by the law, to take additional precautions for their employees' safety.

Asbestos may be found in many older buildings' pipes and floor tiles, including houses, schools, and other structures constructed before the 1970s. When materials that contain asbestos are broken, there is a higher risk of asbestos fibres to release into the air, where they may be inhaled by anyone nearby. Always insist that asbestos products be examined, repaired, or removed by trained personnel authorised to work with asbestos.

Asbestosis symptoms are usually noticed years after initial damage begins. Though there is no cure, it can be managed with specific treatment options. Consult a doctor immediately if symptoms of asbestosis become prominent and problematic.

Reviewed by Dr. Anshul Mittal, Consultant, Pulmonology on 01-May-2023.