Railroad Interstitial Lung DiseaseRailroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis or mesothelioma. Diesel fumes can also increase the risk of COPD.Certain types of interstitial lung disease are progressive, which means they will get worse as time goes by. The prognosis for Idiopathic Pulmonary fibrisis is not good.Risk FactorsMany railroad workers may develop lung conditions that are debilitating. Railroad workers, particularly those who work for long periods in a working environment, are frequently exposed to fumes and toxins that can cause interstitial lung diseases. Long-term exposure to toxic chemicals can cause lung scarring. This makes it difficult for oxygen to pass.The most common reason for interstitial lung disease in railroads is exposure to long-term diesel exhaust fumes. mesothelioma lawsuit are extremely irritating to the lungs, and could cause COPD as well as other health issues like lung cancer and respiratory failure.Other causes of interstitial lung disease in railroad workers include smoking a lot and exposure to wood, metal or stone dust. Other risk factors include an hepatitis history (including tuberculosis) or pneumonia, or a family history and comorbidities such as GERD, malignancy, and diabetes.Some railroad companies failed to inform their workers of the dangers associated with railroad work. The result is a high rate of serious lung conditions like lung fibrosis, which is a common condition among railroaders in their careers. Families of railroad workers who suffer from these ailments may make a claim against the railroad under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) for damages. The lawsuit could be able to cover medical expenses as well as loss of wages as well as pain and suffering and other damages related to the wrong diagnosis.SymptomsA shortness of breath and dry coughing are the most typical symptoms. Over time, the illness can cause other issues that make it difficult or impossible for patients to receive sufficient oxygen. It could lead to life-threatening complications, such as breathing problems, pneumonia, or heart failure.The most serious symptoms of this disease are fatigue, clubbing of the toes and fingers, and the development of pulmonary fibrosis, that causes scarring in lung tissue and stops the lung tissue from providing oxygen to the body. People suffering from pulmonary fibrosis might have sleep issues as well as other immune-related symptoms.Inhaling asbestos can cause severe lung scarring and could lead to other diseases. It can cause cancer such as mesothelioma, which is a rare cancer that affects organs as well as the lining in the chest cavity. It can also cause a form of fibrosis that affects the lungs known as asbestosis and other conditions like silicosis.The workers who work in rail yards are often exposed to chemicals, fumes and dust that come from the freight train equipment as well as from maintenance of tracks. Workers may be able to recover damages from FELA lawsuits for medical bills, lost wages and other costs.DiagnosisIf you suffer from interstitial lung disease, parts of your lung are damaged and scarred. The scarring can reduce the lung's capacity to provide oxygen to blood and other tissues. This can result in a dry cough, fatigue and breathing problems during activities. If untreated the damage could become serious and life threatening. mesothelioma lawsuit will recommend medical tests to detect inflammation or other issues with the lungs. These may include pulmonary function tests that assess how well your lungs function, blood tests, lung biopsy, and imaging tests. mesothelioma lawsuit will need to give your medical history, which includes the list of medications you take as well as whether any members of your family suffer from connective tissue diseases or other health issues. You should inform your doctor if you've been exposed to asbestos, metal dusts or dusts of silica, or any other fumes during working.Exposure to harmful chemicals and substances at work can trigger several ailments, including interstitial lung disease, such as pulmonary fibroids. Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust and other fumes may increase the likelihood of a worker developing cancer, especially mesothelioma which is a type of cancer that is caused by inhaling asbestos-like fibers in microscopic sizes. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with railroad pulmonary fibrosis contact our skilled FELA lawyers at Doran & Murphy to discuss the options available to file a lawsuit.TreatmentThere are a few treatment options for interstitial lung disease (ILD), which causes inflammation and scarring of the lungs. The scarring could affect the capacity of your lungs to absorb oxygen and transfer it to your body. It can lead to breathing issues like pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonia and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.ILD is not curable, however doctors can help you manage the symptoms and live a normal life. They may prescribe medication and supplemental oxygen as well as physical therapy to ease your symptoms. They can also use medications to slow the development of lung scarring. These medications include corticosteroids, anti-fibrotic medications like azathioprine Cyclophosphamide, pirfenidone, and cytotoxic drugs. Rituximab is another drug that can be used to treat autoimmune diseases.Symptoms of interstitial lung disease vary for each individual and can range from mild to severe. Usually, they manifest slowly over a period of months or years and become more severe as lung damage gets worse. Often, the first indication of ILD is a shortness of breath that gets worse after exercise or exertion.Rail workers who are exposed to fumes and dust such as coal exhaust and diesel could develop serious respiratory ailments. These conditions can lead to significant impairment to quality of life that can make it difficult to work and perform tasks normally. The Federal Employers Liability Act can bring railroads to account for work-related illnesses if they failed to provide adequate ventilation and safety equipment.