Sadly, asbestos was once very commonly used in many building projects. This practice was not stopped, until such as time as scientific professionals learned how severely dangerous it is. Workers and residents that were exposed to it often developed dangerous illness, that in some cases were also fatal. These hazardous effects quickly outweighed any possible benefits of its continued use.

Regardless of the form, all commercially available asbestos has been linked to cancerous and non-cancerous lung diseases. Usually, there is a minimum of 20 years between a persons exposure and the development of one of the associated diseases. Diseases of the lungs are the most prevalent. It has now been learned that its removal requires the strict safety measures.

Scar tissue often forms when the asbestos fibers irritate the lungs. This means that a common symptom of asbestos related diseases is shortness of breath. It can be hard for those exposed to even climb a single flight of steps without stopping to catch their breath.

Coughing is another very frequent problem associated with it, since the fibers amass in the lungs. A cough is a natural reflex action. Our bodies use coughing to try to clear irritants out of the lungs. If you have been exposed to asbestos and have a regular cough, you should see a physician. You may have the fibers in your lungs.

The weight loss associated with asbestos related illnesses can also be remarkable. In some cases, it can indicate that it has already spread to other parts of the body. It is important to see a doctor immediately if you have been exposed to asbestos and experience dramatic weight loss.

If someone has Mesothelioma, they can have all of the listed problems, with a few more thrown in. It is an exceptionally rare form of cancer that is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. Sufferers may also experience pleural effusion, as well as chest pain. Most doctors will have to do a biopsy to confirm this diagnosis.

Despite treatment, the prognosis is usually not good for those who develop mesothelioma. Some people have developed it as late as 50 years after exposure. There is also no early screening test, yet, for those that have inhaled asbestos fibers.

The good news is, that thanks to the increased awareness of its dangers, deaths related to asbestos exposure seem to have hit a plateau. There have been many new safety protocols developed to help remove it from buildings and help prevent exposure. Following them minimizes the dangers and can prevent release of the fibers. Some buildings that contain large amounts of it are even condemned, unless they can be safely cleaned of this substance.

Asbestiosis is another illness that can result from exposure to the fibers. It occurs due to the scarring of the lung tissue that can be caused by inhalation of the fibers. Breathlessness is a very common symptom of it and generally worsens as time passes. People that have had a very high rate of exposure have been known to get this disease a lot faster and in a more severe form. For a better long-term prognosis, they must see a doctor as soon as possible

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