Various Issues Caused By Asbestos And How They Affect Us

Six specific naturally occurring minerals form a group known as asbestos. It was hailed for its multiple uses across residential and commercial options but soon turned out to be deadly once it was discovered it contributed to cancer generation and hence was commissioned out from residences and commercial establishments soon. If there is still asbestos around you or you know where it might be, call a certified asbestos contractor in Colorado Springs or anywhere across the country and let them take care of this dangerous problem since this is not something the common man can tackle and fix without harming themselves.

With symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pains and coughing up blood, lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos takes a long time to develop within the person since it depends on the level of exposure the person received. Should not be confused with mesothelioma as this affects the lining of the lungs whereas lung cancer affects the lung. It is diagnosed with the help of X-Rays and CT scans. A biopsy is done to confirm the presence of cancer in cases that cannot be confirmed by imaging scans. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. Surgery will be aimed at removing the tumor and maybe even some parts of the lung if need be. Chemotherapy being the most common treatment aims to kill the cancer cells and shrink the tumor. Radiation therapy shares the same aim as chemotherapy but with the help of targeted radiation. And finally, immunotherapy utilizes different techniques that recognize and kills cancer cells.

Characterized by breathing problems, asbestosis is usually detected years after exposure and by then the lungs and inflamed and scarred as a result. Some other symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, decreased appetite, etc. Most cases can be treated by medications and oxygen supplementation but advanced cases could require pulmonary rehabilitation and even lung transplant for some, depending on the severity of the condition. Its symptoms can be managed by regular exercise, avoiding pollution and smoking or its smoke, a good balanced diet with plenty of water and staying away from any respiratory infections. One can also notice some advanced symptoms such as pulmonary hypertension which includes overworking of the heart which could possibly lead to coronary issues. The other symptom being enlargement of toes and fingers, which happens due to insufficient oxygen reaching the extremities of the body.

This disease can affect the lungs, abdomen or heart once the exposure is attained. Again, this is not to be confused with lung cancer as this affects the lining of the lungs whereas lung cancer affects the lungs. Symptoms are similar to others such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and weakness, chest pains, but also include, night sweats, dry cough fluid being filled up in the lungs. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed by four options, scans such as PET, CT or MRI, blood tests, biopsies and the use of staging systems at least to determine if the patient if affected or not. There are four treatment options for this disease namely, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and clinical trials. Surgery offers the removal of tumors and thereby giving the patient the best chance of survival. Radiation can be used at any stage of this disease to slow down the growth, also surgery is usually a final option with this treatment. Most patients undergo chemotherapy aimed at killing cancer, but this has a lot of side effects of its own too. Lastly, clinical trials, this option is offered to patients usually who pass through a vetting procedure and get access to upcoming treatments and techniques that are under the testing phase.

Asbestos is a serious issue and should be dealt with immediately, not by you but by experienced professionals who know how to get rid of the problem without harming themselves, you, your family and your surroundings as well. Hence when you become of asbestos anywhere around you or know someone who does, one must must not wait or hesitate to call an asbestos contractor in Colorado Springs or wherever you might reside. It might cost you to get it removed but it isn’t bigger than a human being’s life.

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