When people are exposed to asbestos it can cause a type of cancer known as mesothelioma. This disease attacks three basic parts of the body, the heart, lungs and abdomen. If untreated the cancer can also spread to the organs. Mesotheliona is deadly and because of the way it attacks the body there is to date no cure. Treatment involves ways to stop the cancer from spreading and prolonging the life of the person infected with it.
Early detection is the best way to achieve success with mesothelioma. If discovered before the disease becomes cancerous, the symptoms can be controlled with oxygen treatment and inhalers. Even with early detection there is the possibility of the disease progressing int full blown cancer. When this happens the standard cancer treatments will be used to try and stop the disease from spreading further. This would include surgery to remove the cancer from the body, chemotherapy drugs to help the body fight off the cancer and finally a series of radiation treatments to kill off any cancer cells left behind after the surgery.
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Three Types OF Asbestos Diseases
Posted on 27. Jan, 2009 by admin.
Asbestos disease, known as mesothelioma causes serious disease to many people who have been exposed to the substance. There are three types of disease that are caused by asbestos exposure. They include Pleural Mesothelioma, Pericardial Mesothelioma, and Peritoneal Mesothelioma. They are all life threatening.
The most common of the three is pleural. It is usually contracted by people who inhale asbestos it in their working environment. This type of disease causes cancer in the pleural which is the lining of the lungs. It can take several years for the disease to show up after exposure. The second most common type is caused by accidental consumption such as eating food that the fibers have landed on. This is known as Peritoneal. The peritoneal is the soft lining which surrounds your organs and intestines in your abdomen. The third and least common type of asbestos disease is called Pericardial Mesothelioma. This form attacks the lining of the heart. How this happens is still unknown by the medical community. This is the least common of the three but it is also has the fastest death rate.
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How Does Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?
Posted on 27. Jan, 2009 by admin.
Asbestos is a natural mineral fiber. It is made up of long microscopic strands of fiber with very tiny hooks. The shape of the substance is what gives it it’s hazardous properties. When inhaled or ingested, asbestos hooks onto the soft tissue inside the body. It can remain in place forever. Our immune system sees this as a foreign substance and tries to attack it but the fibers are usually too large to be consumed by the white blood cells. Asbestos fibers are very strong. They are stronger than steel cables of the same diameter. The durability of these fibers means that they can resist being broken down by our bodies natural immune systems.
The exact process of a cell becoming cancerous with these fibers is not completely understood. Science does have a few theories. One of them is that the fibers are toxic to the soft tissue that they embed themselves into. There is also some evidence that a certain virus called SV40 works with the asbestos to create the cancer. These are only theories and it may take years to discover the true answer.
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Problems Caused By Asbestosis Disease
Posted on 30. Dec, 2008 by admin.
Asbestosis is an asbestos related disease that is nonmalignant. It can become more progressive with the passage of time. Although it is nonmalignant it can still be the cause fatalities. It can be severely damaging to the lungs leaving them damaged to the point where they can no longer function. The disease can cause the airways to be obstructed creating difficulty in breathing. It can also minimize your lung capacity, restricting the body from receiving enough oxygen to run properly. It can also block the free passage of oxygen to the bloodstream. According to the American Cancer Society, one in seven people with this disease will eventually develop mesothelioma in their lungs. Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer and almost always fatal.
Asbestosis is defined as scarring of the lung tissue from asbestos inhalation. It begins with inflammation of the lungs. The inflammation is caused by the body activating the immune system when trying to rid it’s self from the foreign matter. It then becomes progressive , eventually causing scarring on the lungs. This type of scarring will progress over time. It can eventually cause total lung failure resulting in death.
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Avoid Asbestos Exposure In Your Home
Posted on 30. Nov, 1999 by admin.
Asbestos exposure in your home can cause serious lung disease. Often times leading up to mesothelioma, a serious lung cancer. Asbestos is often found in and on older homes. Home supply manufacturers used asbestos in the making of several home maintenance products and building materials because of the strength and durability of the substance.
To be sure your are free from asbestos exposure in your home, there are a few main areas to look. Starting at the top, roofing material was often made with asbestos because of its amazing ability to withstand the elements. House siding was also made using asbestos for the same reason. Another thing to check is the insulation in your attic. If your insulation appears fibrous and fluffy, you may want to have it checked. This type of insulation was also used for the constructing of flexible pipes and duct work so you may need to crawl around inside your walls to be sure your home is asbestos free. It is not recommended that you do this work yourself. The best thing to do is hire a processional to check and clean your home. They are equipped with the knowledge and gear to remain protected while doing this work.