Asbestos liability
On an average the symptoms of asbestosis occur after 20 years of its development. Asbestosis is a lung disease which is characterized by scarring or fibrosis of the tissue of the lungs. It is caused due to prolonged exposure to the products made from asbestos.
Asbestos is a fibrous material made up of silicate fibers. It is a useful heat retardant product. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber and is being mined and used for over a century now. Though asbestos is useful, but poses medical threats to the human beings. The usage of asbestos has been significantly reduced in the US.
Asbestosis is too dangerous as it remains undetected for many years. In some of the cases it can remain undetected for more than 20 years. Because of the fact that the symptoms of asbestosis not surface for years, the disease can even become fatal.
As asbestos fibers are thin, long and microscopic, they easily get access to the human body and enter into their lungs. As it regularly enters the lungs, it starts creating problems. Asbestosis is prominent in people working as auto mechanics, electricians, building tradesmen and shipyard workers.
A person suffering from asbestosis does not realize it for a long span such as 20 years. When the symptoms begin to occur, the disease would have already done some damage to the lungs. There are some common symptoms that a person suffering from asbestosis shows.
A person suffering from asbestosis would experience shortness of breath. Whenever he would perform any exhaustive or heavy activity, he would suffer from shortness of breath. He becomes unable to breathe normally and can even wheeze. This shortness of breath continues and worsens till he gets the proper treatment. Extreme shortness of breath can even prove life-threatening for the person as asbestosis can cause respiratory failure in a person.
Another common symptom that a person suffering from asbestosis shows is pain in the chest. People suffering from this disease often complain of chest pain. This symptom is similar to that of heart attack. The pain chest becomes a regular feature of these people. Some people also complain of tightness in the chest. As asbestosis is directly related to malfunctioning of the lungs, people suffer from tightness in the chest.
A patient suffering from asbestosis breathes quickly than the others. As the normal functioning of the lungs get impaired, normal breathing process suffers. A person has to breathe in more air quickly to compensate for the lung?s reduced capacity.
Persistent coughing is also a common symptom of asbestosis. A person suffering from this disease suffers from undying and productive coughing. This persistent coughing is similar to the symptoms of asthma or tuberculosis.
Loss of appetite is also among the common symptoms of asbestosis. A person gradually experiences loss of appetite. His food intake becomes less as the disease advances. This loss of appetite then causes a person to lose weight and become thin. Loss of appetite also makes him vulnerable to illness and other ailments. A person also suffers from fatigue feeling of tiredness all the times.
As and when you experience any of the above mentioned Asbestosis symptoms, you should consult a physician. The delay would only worsen your situation.
About the Author:
June Mala ? 2006 www.FkNk.com