Asbestos was primarily used in building materials before 2000 when it was banned, and all the products and construction materials containing asbestos were discontinued. The reason asbestos was so popularly used in construction material was that it is fire resistant and is excellent for insolation. When stable and properly contained, asbestos fibers posed no danger. However, when any material that contains asbestos is damaged or disturbed, the light and airy fibers release into the air. Since these fibers are so small and light, minute disturbances can cause them to become airborne. This aspect increases the chances of inhaling these fibers, which can then lead to several different types of health problems.
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Health problems associated with asbestos exposure
If a person i9nhales or ingests asbestos fibers, it can lead to several serious health issues, which can be fatal in the worst-case scenario. However, the most tricky aspect of these health issues is that most of them are asymptomatic for years, which means they don’t start showing any symptoms until years later. But when the symptoms begin to show, very few treatment options are left which can be effective for the illness.
The risks of developing asbestos-related diseases increase with the amount of exposure. Some health conditions related to prolonged asbestos exposure are:
- Asbestosis
- Mesothelioma
- Pleural thickening
- Mesothelioma
- Asbestos-related lung cancer
- Pleural plaques
In case you develop some serious health condition such as mesothelioma or lung cancer, you will be eligible to acquire medical compensation from the employer or source that exposed you to asbestos. But since asbestos exposure can date back decades, only the most capable lawyers can help you win that case. For example, if you’re from Pennsylvania, then seek out the best Pennsylvania mesothelioma lawyer to help you win the case.
However, there is a whole process that you have to follow before you can consult with an attorney regarding your case. So if you suspect that you have been exposed to asbestos, here’s what to do:
Know which products contain asbestos
Asbestos has been mined since the 1800s in North America, and its usage reached its peak during World War 2. The booming popularity among manufacturers resulted in the usage of this naturally occurring mineral in thousands of different products. Some of the building products containing asbestos include:
- Roofs
- Cement shingles
- Sidings
- Electrical wire casing
- Millboard
- Joint and patching compound
- Duct, furnace, and pipe insulation
- Floor tiles and their adhesive material
- Soundproofing material
Some household products that contain asbestos:
- Embers and artificial ashes used in fireplaces
- Automobile linings, brake pads, gaskets, and clutch facings
- Stove pads, fireproof gloves, fire-resistant fabric
- Paints, plastics, coatings, adhesives
- Attic insulation and consumer garden products
How does asbestos affect your health?
If asbestos fibers are released into the air, they break down and turn into tiny particles that remain airborne for hours. If inhaled, they cause inflammation and scarring in the tissue lining of the lungs and other vital organs.
Consult a doctor
The first step you need to take after you suspect that you have been exposed to asbestos is to consult with your doctor. The doctor can help determine whether you are at the risk of developing an asbestos-related illness. The reason is that short-term or one-time asbestos exposure can be harmless for the most part. People who develop asbestos-related diseases are typically exposed to the fibers on a daily basis. Since these diseases take years to develop, there is no telling when the symptoms can progress. Therefore, if the doctors are aware of your asbestos exposure, they can monitor you through checkups and tests at regular intervals.
Get a diagnosis if symptoms occur
Asbestos-related diseases often get misdiagnosed or completely ignored because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. For example, you may experience chest pains, shortness of breath, chronic cough, etc. These symptoms are common with several diseases, which makes it hard to diagnose them at first without proper testing.
For proper diagnosis, doctors will run tests that include chest X-rays, imaging, or computerized tomography scans (CT scans). These tests can help doctors determine the changes happening in your lungs. The doctor may also determine your lung’s functionality by asking you to blow into a machine.
Some common symptoms
Some common symptoms that have been associated with diseases that are caused by asbestos include:
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Persistent cough
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of appetite
Research treatment options
The issue with asbestos-related diseases is that once it causes lung damage, that damage becomes irreversible. But do not be afraid, as several other treatment options can help slow down and reduce the severity of your symptoms. They may also slow down the progress of the asbestos-related disease you are suffering from. These treatments can help you live longer and more comfortably.
For example, if asbestos exposure caused lung scarring, oxygen therapy is a possible treatment option. Oxygen therapy helps a person breathe more easily and may improve lung function. If you smoke, then your doctor may also prohibit you from smoking to prevent further lung damage.
However, the treatment options will depend on your condition. For example, if you have lung cancer or mesothelioma, then the treatment you require will depend on the cancer stage. You may need to undergo surgery followed by radiation or chemotherapy.
Consult an attorney
Once your diagnosis has confirmed that your illness is due to asbestos exposure, you can consult an attorney to determine the best course of action. The best time to call your attorney is immediately after your diagnosis so that you can determine the best course of action while adhering to strict deadlines for filing an asbestos exposure lawsuit. Consulting an attorney should be your last step because lawyers will refuse to involve themselves in a case until the diagnosis has confirmed that your disease is asbestos-related.
Conclusion
If you have been exposed to asbestos in your work environment, then discuss it with your doctor and your attorney. The doctor can help by monitoring your symptoms and conducting routine tests and checkups to catch asbestos-related diseases early on. On the other hand, your attorney can help track down the source of asbestos exposure and help you file a case that can help you win medical compensation for your medical and emotional trauma. Even if the exposure happened decades ago, attorneys have the means to find out the source.
