Can Exposure to Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?The mineral asbestos is poisonous and can cause a variety of diseases. These include lung cancer and mesothelioma maligna, which affects the tissues of the chest, abdominal cavity and heart. These conditions can be triggered by any asbestos exposure, but they are more common after long-term exposure.The exposure to asbestos happens when products containing the material are damaged, whether it's during demolition, use of the product, or home and building maintenance. It is also possible to get sick from exposure to asbestos through indirect contact with family members or friends who worked with asbestos materials.Asbestos ExposureAsbestos-related diseases are caused when tiny fibers of asbestos irritate tissues. The exposure to asbestos can occur when a person is in contact with the material, is near it or inhales its particles. Asbestos-related workers have the highest chance of developing asbestos-related ailments, but even just one exposure to this toxic material can be harmful.The majority of cases of exposure to asbestos involve inhalation. People can inhale asbestos when mining the mineral, working to create or install products containing asbestos, rehabilitating older structures or handling other materials that contain the material. Once a person inhales asbestos, the tiny fibers may reach the lining around the chest wall and lungs (called the pleura) and begin to cause irritation. This irritation can cause inflammation, scarring and ultimately cancer.The symptoms of mesothelioma generally are not evident for 20 to 50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos. The symptoms include shortness of breath, dry cough and chest pain. The patient may also develop a fluid build-up in the lungs, which is known as a Pleural effusion. This condition can be irritating and painful, but it is generally harmless.Many people are diagnosed as having an asbestos-related condition due to exposure to asbestos but have not had any signs or symptoms. Because of this long latency period, some doctors are not convinced that an exposure to asbestos could be responsible for mesothelioma or other diseases that are associated with the mineral.It is vital to keep in mind that there is no level of exposure that is safe to asbestos. The more asbestos is exposed to, the higher the chance of developing long-term health issues.The typical latency period for pleural mesothelioma occurs 30 years after the first exposure to asbestos. This is why it is crucial to monitor any asbestos exposure potential in the home, workplace or in other places. Any asbestos-containing materials should be handled and removed by trained asbestos abatement specialists. Any workers that might be exposed to asbestos should wear a respirator and adhere to strict safety guidelines when handling materials. They should also double-bag or label wet rags as well as PPE to prevent the spread of asbestos fibers.SymptomsAsbestos was a deadly mineral that was used in a variety of American homes, factories and schools. The toxic substance was valued because of its strength, heat resistance and fireproofing. However exposure to asbestos could cause serious health issues, like mesothelioma. Mesothelioma may develop after years of exposure. The reason for this is because mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other common illnesses like lung cancer, respiratory issues and other medical diseases.Mesothelioma symptoms vary based on the type of mesothelioma as well as the location. Breathlessness, coughing, and chest pain are common signs of pleural pleural cancer which affects the lungs. A buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity can cause fatigue and pain for patients with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. Other asbestos-related symptom include abdominal pain and weight loss.It could take anywhere from 10 to 50 years for mesothelioma-related symptoms to manifest after exposure to asbestos. This is because the asbestos-related illness progresses slowly and doesn't show obvious signs until it's at a higher level. Because the symptoms are vague and similar to those of other conditions some doctors are unable to identify mesothelioma.Patients should seek advice from their primary care physician regarding any new or ongoing symptoms they are experiencing. The patient should inform the doctor about their asbestos history as well as any health issues they've experienced in the past. This will enable the doctor to look into mesothelioma.If the patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma they will undergo a peritoneal biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. They will also undergo blood tests and an CT scan or an MRI to determine the severity of their condition and the stage of mesothelioma.Any person who has been exposed to asbestos may develop mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases. This includes construction workers, military veterans, people who lived or worked in asbestos-contaminated buildings and other professions. Asbestos exposure can also occur when people renovate their homes or have family members who work in the construction industry. Some victims have even suffered mesothelioma after wearing clothing to work or school. However, this is not common as the majority of victims develop mesothelioma after prolonged or extreme exposure.DiagnosisMesothelioma does not typically occur by just one exposure to asbestos. Symptoms of mesothelioma can only be seen after repeated exposure to asbestos particles. One exposure to asbestos can result in asbestosis, or other asbestos-related illnesses when the incident is sufficient that asbestos is able to settle into the body's tissue. For example, many people who were exposed to asbestos in New York City after the 9/11 attacks might have inhaled enough toxic material to suffer later health issues.Asbestosis, and other asbestos-related diseases, can take several decades to develop. The result is that victims might not remember their exposure or the health issues. As well, the symptoms of asbestos are similar to those of more common illnesses. This makes it difficult to diagnose mesothelioma. If it is not diagnosed correctly, it can lead to serious or death-like consequences for mesothelioma sufferers.If someone suspects they have mesothelioma, they should see their doctor as soon as they can. The doctor can perform an examination and collect a medical history to narrow down the possibilities. The doctor can also run tests to detect symptoms of the disease, such as a chest X-ray or CT scan. These tests can reveal if the lung lining (pleura) has thickened with calcium deposits or if fluid has accumulated between the lungs and chest wall which is known as an pleural effusion.Other tests might be required based on the mesothelioma's location. A doctor may have to perform biopsy to confirm a diagnosis. In the course of the procedure, the doctor will insert a needle into the body of the patient to take out a small portion of tissue to examine. The doctor may also perform surgery to obtain mesothelioma samples. They'll use an instrument equipped with a camera to view the area they're operating on, and then insert specific tools into the patient's body through the tube to take the tissue sample.Mesothelioma can be an uncommon condition, so it is essential to seek medical attention as quickly as you can if you suspect that you might be suffering from the disease. It is important to inform your doctor if they have ever been exposed to asbestos. This will enable them to record the details in the patient's medical records and watch for any future symptoms or signs of mesothelioma.TreatmentAsbestos is a variety of minerals that are naturally occurring. In the past, people have used them to strengthen products or for other industrial purposes such as fire resistance or insulation. Asbestos has been proven to cause cancer and other ailments in humans when inhaled. Workers who work with asbestos are at a much greater risk of developing health issues than those who don't. The good news is, these symptoms can take a long time to manifest. The first signs of asbestos exposure typically do not appear until 10 to 40 years following the initial exposure.Asbestos fibers are released into air when asbestos is disturbed. They can easily be inhaled. The body's natural defenses are able to eliminate the majority of the fibers. However, they can sometimes escape the defenses and get into the lung. In peritoneal mesothelioma causes , this may lead to lung conditions like pleural effusions (a accumulation of fluid in the lung's space), asbestosis or mesothelioma.The incidence of these diseases generally increase in a proportional manner with the amount of time the patient has been exposed to asbestos. The exact duration of latency for mesothelioma has not been determined since many studies haven't followed patients for this long. Mesothelioma could develop in the linings of the lungs, the heart or other places where mesothelium has formed.Malignant mesothelioma suffers from an unfavorable prognosis. It is often fatal if not treated and diagnosed promptly. The condition isn't always easy to identify and the symptoms can be confused with other illnesses.If you've been exposed asbestos, it is crucial to seek out a physician immediately if you experience any symptoms. If they are diagnosed with asbestos-related ailments it is recommended that they discuss their legal options with New York mesothelioma attorneys to discover what compensation might be available. This could be used to pay for medical expenses and other costs associated with the disease.