Asbestosis is a condition of the lungs that results from exposure to high levels of asbestos fibers. These fibers were once used regularly in the construction industry, and while they are not used as often anymore, they are still in use in some industries. According to the Mayo Clinic, inhalation of these fibers results in scarring and damage to the tissue of the lungs. There are no clinically set stages of asbestosis, but doctors judge the progression of the disease by one's symptoms and X-rays.
Early Asbestosis
When people are diagnosed with asbestosis, it is often because they went to the doctor to find out the reason for a chronic, persistent, dry cough or difficulty breathing after being physically active. As other illnesses are ruled out and X-rays are taken, asbestosis is discovered. So a patient is typically well into the early stage of asbestosis before it is even diagnosed. According to a report from London published by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, a crackling sound in the chest is also a sign of early asbestosis.
Progressive Asbestosis
As asbestosis progresses, more symptoms begin to show, along with those above. Difficulty breathing occurs not only following activity, but also when a patient is relaxing and still. Along with shortness of breath, a patient can experience chest pains, according to LungCancer.com experts. Patients may also notice physical changes, such as ridges or dents in their fingernails and a club-like appearance of their toes and fingers. These changes are due to the fact that less oxygen is able to reach these areas. Medical X-rays or CT scans show what appears to be a honeycomb or fishnet-type design on the lungs.
Advanced Asbestosis
In the advanced stages of asbestosis, a patient feels the full effect of the lung damage that asbestos has caused. Breathing is continuously difficult, and coughing is painful and persistent. An article at LifeSteps.com states that in these advanced stages, one can experience a collapsed lung, swollen extremities and inflammation of the lung lining, called pleurisy. Advanced stages of asbestosis can develop into mesothelioma, or lung cancer, and smoking greatly increases that risk.
