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Lately there has been a rise in the number of cases due to asbestos exposure. This is not because asbestos is more common now (quite the contrary), but rather because the fibers that cause the problem can take as long as 20 or 30 years to reveal themselves. And this means a long period of dormancy and then a sudden onslaught of symptoms. The problem is that many of the symptoms share commonalities with other diseases, and so the real cause can be difficult to find. Asbestos was a popular material for insulation because it is a good insulator and fire retardant. No wonder, it has been used in many buildings, and because it does not cause problems, unless stirred, it has not been replaced in most buildings. However, the symptoms of cancer or asbetosis, which is incurable, can be traced to exposure to this substance years ago. Asbestos is essentially microscopic fibers that can be inhaled through the nose or mouth. The fibers floating in the air can be breathed into the body and then get deposited in the lining of the lungs. Crews who work to demolish or remodel old construction sites are at high risk of exposure to these small fibers. Damage may not be immediately visible. In fact, it can take decades for illness due to asbestos to show itself. This is the very reason that there has been an increase in the number of cases of poisoning. The symptoms are related to lung disease, and at first that is what the poisoning can be diagnosed as. The symptoms of diseases caused by asbestos fibers include increased shortness of breath over time and coughing. These symptoms come with other diseases, and are mistaken for less deadly illnesses. Since the symptoms do not appear to be too serious, they are often ignored. That is dangerous! So, when you experience a persistent cough or shortness of breath, get it checked at once. Other symptoms like chest pain, hoarseness, and coughing up blood are also symptoms of asbestos related diseases and far more dangerous if they persist for too long. Therefore you must get proper tests done if you have ever been exposed to asbestos and you experience these symptoms now. If you suspect asbestos exposure in your line of work, you must share your concerns with your doctor who can then refer you to a specialist. A specialist will help you figure out whether your problem is asbestos related or not. It is crucial to catch the signs and symptoms of asbestos early and start addressing the problem. The symptoms of asbestos related illness can be treated but there is no permanent cure. If the illness progresses into lung cancer, then surgery or chemotherapy may be required. The systems can also be controlled to a certain degree by leading a healthy lifestyle.
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Ralph Caruzzo is the chief writer for, and editor of Asbestos & Lead, there's a wealth of knowledge on the website, plus their free newsletter is well worth signing up for too. Want to read more Asbestos articles?, just go to: www.asbestoslead.com/articles Don't reprint this article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.
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