7 Things to Know About Asbestos Poisoning and How to Protect Your Family
Asbestos, as a construction material has been banned in many countries around the world. Other countries that have not banned its use have restricted its application in industrial premises only. However, it is difficult to eradicate the use of asbestos in the country is this material is used in various industries. Even countries that have banned it from different essential products that have asbestos materials. Therefore, also though you think that you are protected and safe, asbestos remains a significant security threat that you should worry about.
You will naturally come into contact with asbestos materials or elements that have been used in flooring, insulation, and even roofing. Sometimes asbestos elements are very common in old buildings and warehouses. If you happen to inhale some aspects of this material, there is a chance that your health will be compromised, especially your lungs. The condition can become extreme and lead to severe health conditions such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis among others.
It is not easy to detect symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses as most of the symptoms don’t manifest within a short period. It can even take more than ten years before you can realize that you have asbestos-related health challenges. It is imperative for a person to understand this condition so that you can provide health to yourself and your family. Some of the seven poisoning issues that you should know about asbestos have been discussed below.
1. Shortness of Breath
Asbestos is a very toxic material that causes permanent health defects on your lungs after inhaling. When you accidentally inhale asbestos fibers, a scar is likely to develop on your lungs because the fibers inhaled are very poisonous and corrosive. In medical terms, the scar is known as asbestosis, which has for an extended period been the main illness affecting individuals inhaling asbestosis.
The scar is known to cause extreme breathing issues, which makes it difficult for you to breath. If your family members are experiencing difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, there is a possibility that you have been affected by asbestosis.
2. Swollen Fingertips
More than half of those individuals who have been affected by asbestosis show the characteristic of swollen fingertips. Most of the people mistaken swollen fingertips for physical health problems but they don’t understand that they are already experiencing asbestosis. Finger clubbing is commonly detected among those individuals who come into contact with asbestos materials on a regular basis. For example, a carpenter and a floor cleaner are likely to show the properties of enlarged fingertips as they regularly come into the fibers of this material.
3. General Body Fatigue
As you regularly engage yourself in physical activities throughout the day, you might have a perception that your general body weakness is a normal aspect. However, it is not common for a person to experience general body fatigue, especially when not engaging in physically demanding activities. Extreme tiredness, which is recorded on a regular basis can be a sign that you have been affected by lung cancer or mesothelioma, which are asbestos illnesses. If this is combined with other systems such as swelling fingers, it is apparent that you need to test for asbestosis.
4. Wheezing
Wheezing is a common lung illness that mostly occurs when there is inflammation on the lungs and the entire breathing system. This health problem is characterized by whistling sound, especially when one takes a deep breath. Many people who are experiencing this challenge think that they are experiencing it because they are active smokers. However, some individuals who do not smoke also experience this problem. This can be a sign that one has been exposed to asbestos. This is a health concern that needs to be addressed in medical facilities within a short period before it becomes worse.
5. Persistent Dry Cough
The scar tissue that forms of the lungs after inhaling asbestos can be a cause for concern for many decades. The scar causes persistent coughing. The problem is that many individuals think it is a common cold. However, it is essential for a person to test for asbestos illness and other asbestos-related challenges, especially when one has a persistent cough and is not an active smoker.
6. Loss of Appetite
Loss of appetite and nausea is a common problem that individuals who have asbestos-related illnesses experience. A large number of people don’t feel interested in eating after experiencing chest problems. Others record incidences of nausea and abdominal pain. Lack of appetite is also associated with other issues such as changes in the taste of the food, trouble swallowing, and the bad smell of the food. Weight loss is the ultimate outcome of loss of appetite. If you or one of your family member is experiencing appetite loss, it is high time they test for asbestosis related illnesses.
7. Chest tightness and pain
In extreme cases, asbestos can lead to serious health conditions such as chest tightness and pain. The extreme damages cause this to the breathing system, especially the lungs. It is vital for asbestos infected individuals to consider health checkups if they are experiencing chronic chest pain, it could be extreme cases of asbestosis.
Avoiding Asbestos
It is difficult to prevent asbestos as it is present in air, water, and even on the soil that you and your family members have been cultivating. This means that it is difficult to avoid the fibers. However, anytime you are involved in remodeling a house or being involved in maintenance aspects, make sure that you purchase Asbestos Testing ThresholdNV Brisbane so that you can test the presence of this chemical. You have to test asbestos even in new houses because they tend to have more asbestos particles due to the new insulation material.
Treatment Options
• Supplemental Oxygen
This is a treatment method that involves supplying oxygen to those individuals with low lung capacity. It has an oxygen tank that supplies extra oxygen that is needed to support the lungs and cell metabolism.
• Medications
Various medical products can be used in relieving chest pain and making coughing more comfortable among individuals. Other medications are used in reducing inflammation.
