While mesothelioma is almost synonymous with the term “asbestos disease,” it is certainly not the only one caused by the deadly mineral.
Asbestosis is another debilitating and life-threatening disease that has destroyed the lives of many workers. Asbestosis causes fibrotic scar tissue to grow in place of soft spongy lung tissue. Fibrous tissue is neither flexible nor porous, and fibrous lungs severely restrict a person’s ability to breathe.
Pleural fibrosis is another fibrotic disease caused by asbestos. Fibrotic pleural sacs prevent lungs from expanding. While the lung tissue is still soft and functional, it cannot expand sufficiently to allow full breathing capacity.
Pleural plaques are calcifications on the outer pleura that line the chest wall and do not, by themselves create a health problem. Rather they indicate the presence of asbestos and signal the alarm to be alert for other possible diseases.
Pleural effusions are collections of fluid in the pleural space caused by irritation from any source. Asbestos fibers can cause effusions. Effusions can compress lung tissue and prevent oxygen from entering the blood stream in sufficient amounts.
Asbestos lung cancer is another disease resulting from asbestos and resulting in roughly 20% of the deaths among asbestos workers.
COPD, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma are common among asbestos workers.
Pneumonia is common with any of the above conditions because they tend to cause the lungs’ to trap secretions in diseased areas that don’t ventilate well.
If you notice any of these symptoms or have been diagnosed with any of these diseases and live in the Washington D.C. or Baltimore, Maryland area please contact Brown | Kiely, LLP, the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C. for a no-cost case evaluation.
