Pericardial mesothelioma: This type of mesothelioma,
originating in the heart, also causes chest pain. Fluid builds up in the
protective sac lining the heart, causing the heart to work harder.
Asbestosis is an irreversible condition. With the exception of lung
transplantation, all treatment options are palliative, meaning they address the
symptoms of asbestosis to improve the patient’s quality of life.
There is no cure for asbestosis, as the damage to the lungs is irreversible.
However, you can take steps to reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of
life. These are outlined below. Not smoking If you have been diagnosed with
asbestosis and you smoke, it's very important to stop as soon as possible.
Smoking can make your symptoms of breathlessness worse and significantly
increase your risk of developing lung cancer at a later stage. Speak to
your GP for help with giving up smoking. They can advise about nicotine
replacement therapies and prescription medicines that can greatly increase
your chances of quitting successfully. Your GP can also put you in touch
with local support groups in your area. You can also phone Quit Your Way
Scotland on 0800 84 84 84 to get more help and advice about quitting
smoking. Read more about stopping smoking. Vaccinations If you have
asbestosis, your lungs will be more vulnerable to infection.
It's recommended
that you have the influenza (flu) vaccination to protect against flu, and
the pneumococcal vaccination to protect you from the bacteria that can cause
serious conditions, such as pneumonia. Your GP can arrange for you to have
these vaccinations. You will need the flu vaccine every year to ensure you stay
protected. Most people only require one dose of the pneumococcal vaccine,
although additional booster shots may be recommended if your general health is
poor. Long-term oxygen therapy If you have severe asbestosis, your body may not
be getting all the oxygen it needs to function properly. Oxygen
therapy may be recommended if you have low levels of oxygen in your blood.
Oxygen therapy is supplied through a machine called an oxygen
concentrator, which purifies oxygen from the air in the room and produces a
more oxygen-rich supply of air. This oxygen-rich air is breathed in through a
mask or a small, soft plastic tube placed just inside your nostrils (nasal
cannula). You may be given a small, portable oxygen tank and mask, to be used
when you're out of the house. This is known as ambulatory oxygen. It's very important
not to smoke when you are using an oxygen concentrator. This is because high
concentrations of oxygen are highly flammable, and a lit cigarette or
flame could cause a fire or an explosion. Medication Most people with
asbestosis will not benefit from any specific medication for the condition,
unless you have another condition also affecting the lungs, such as
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). More severe cases may
benefit from medicines, such as small doses of morphine to reduce
breathlessness and a cough. Serious side effects are uncommon, because the
dose is so small. The most common problem is constipation, and a laxative
will usually be given at the same time to help you pass stools.
Asbestos is a general term for a group of minerals made of microscopic
fibres. Materials containing asbestos used to be widely used in
construction, because they are strong, durable and fire-resistant.
Libby is a small community located in the Kootenai River Valley of northwestern
Montana approximately 6 miles southwest of Zonolite Mountain, a mountain
containing high concentrations of vermiculite ore. The ore was mined beginning
in the 1920s by the Zonolite Company and then later by W.R. Grace, which bought
the mine in 1963. It is estimated that between 1924 and 1990, when the mine was
closed, a total of 5.8 million tons of vermiculite ore was mined and
distributed (Kuntz et al. 2009), making Zonolite Mountain the largest
vermiculite ore mine in the United States. In addition to the mine, processing,
exfoliation, and shipping preparations were performed in Libby. The ore was
then used in many products ranging from insulation to soil additives and
fertilizers.
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