By What are three symptoms you would experience if you are exposed to asbestos?
Symptoms
- Shortness of breath.
- A persistent, dry cough.
- Loss of appetite with weight loss.
- Fingertips and toes that appear wider and rounder than normal (clubbing)
- Chest tightness or pain.
How long after inhaling asbestos do symptoms appear?
It can take 20 to 30 years before symptoms appear.
What are the three 3 primary diseases associated with asbestos exposure?
Exposure to asbestos can increase the risk of developing:
- Lung cancer.
- Asbestosis, which causes permanent lung damage.
- Mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the chest and stomach lining.
- Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, kidney and throat (larynx or oropharynx).
- Scarring of the lung lining.
What are side effects of asbestos exposure?
How are asbestos-related diseases detected?
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness.
- A persistent cough that gets worse over time.
- Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up from the lungs.
- Pain or tightening in the chest.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Swelling of the neck or face.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss.
How can you tell if you have breathed in asbestos?
The most common signs of asbestos exposure include shortness of breath, cough and chest pain. Pleural plaques are a sign that a person had enough exposure to be at risk of other diseases. They may develop prior to mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Is there a blood test for asbestos exposure?
There is no blood test currently available that determines if a person had asbestos exposure. However, some new blood tests show promise that they could detect mesothelioma years before a patient would exhibit symptoms.
Can you be tested for asbestos exposure?
To diagnose diseases associated with asbestos, doctors may use a variety of lung tests. Imaging tests, including chest X-rays or computerized tomography (CT) scans, can help your doctor spot changes in your lungs. Your doctor may also ask you to blow big breaths into a machine to see how well your lungs are working.
How do I know if I’ve been exposed to asbestos?