askthedoctor Asbestos Exposure
Environmental or occupational exposure to asbestos can lead to specific medical problems. Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, D.O., tells you how it happens — and what you should look out for.
A
Were You Exposed to Asbestos?
■ Not everyone who is exposed to asbestos gets sick — but if you have symptoms of lung disease, tell your health care provider about your asbestos exposure.
sbestos refers to several min- erals with fiber-shaped crystals. Largely because of its heat-resis-
tant properties, asbestos has been used in many applications, including aboard ships and submarines and in pipe insula- tion, roofing, ceiling and floor tile, and automotive brakes. However, growing awareness that asbestos can cause health problems has limited its use. As asbestos breaks up into smaller par-
ticles, its crystals can become airborne, be inhaled, and lodge in the lungs. The shorter, wider crystals associated with chrysotile asbestos tend to stay in the upper airways, but the long, thin fibers of its other forms penetrate deep into the lungs and lower airways. Once embedded in the respiratory system, asbestos likely is there for life. Inhaled asbestos contributes to several
lung diseases. The most common, asbes- tosis, is a chronic inflammatory disease. It results when the lungs respond to an asbes- tos particle with an inflammatory reaction. After many such reactions, the lung scars, limiting air exchange. Asbestosis often presents no symptoms; late in the course of the disease, someone with asbestosis might experience shortness of breath, chronic cough, or chest pain and tightness. Asbesto- sis also is a risk factor for lung cancer. Other asbestos-related lung disease re-
sults from the response of the pleura (lin- ing of the lung) to asbestos exposure. The pleura might thicken and form a plaque or calcify. Or the pleural space between the lung and chest wall can fill with fluid in a
4 4 MI L I T A R Y O F F I C E R J U LY 2 0 1 0
pleural effusion. Pleural mesothelioma, or cancer of the pleura, also can develop. It can take decades for symptoms of disease from asbestos exposure to appear. Not everyone who is exposed to asbestos will develop lung disease. The risk of ill- ness goes up with increasing concentra- tion and with the length and frequency of exposure. Smoking greatly increases the risk of asbestos-related lung cancer. Smok- ers with asbestos exposure should quit. Symptoms of asbestos-related lung dis-
ease include shortness of breath and chest pain and tightness. Some symptoms of mesothelioma and other lung cancers are coughing (including with blood), shortness of breath, and hoarseness. Other symptoms of asbestos-related illness include shoul- der or chest pain, weight loss, and other general symptoms. If you have any of these symptoms, consult your health care pro- vider. Make sure you tell him or her if you have been exposed to asbestos. Most asbestos-related problems are
diagnosed with a chest X-ray, a CT scan, or an MRI. It is important to diagnose and treat any type of lung cancer as early as possible, to maximize the effectiveness of treatment. Many other asbestos-related diseases don’t require specific treatment, especially if they are diagnosed early.
MO
— Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, USPHS-Ret., D.O., M.A., is vice president, Health Sciences, Battelle Memorial Institute, Arlington, Va. Find more health and wellness resources at www
.moaa.org/wellness. For submission information, see page 18.
PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84