Asbestos is a mineral characterized by thin, long fibers that has been used as a fire retardant in the construction of buildings. It also has been used in the manufacture of insulation materials, clutches and brakes for cars, in oil refineries, railroads, steel mills and power plants because of its resistance to heat, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since asbestos takes a long time to degrade, it can remain in your lungs for decades. It can cause such illnesses as pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma and tunica vaginalis mesothelioma.
Shortness of Breath
Because the fibers from asbestos remain in the lungs for decades, the symptoms may not be apparent for a long time. This could be from 15 to 50 years after you were exposed to asbestos. As the fibers begin to affect your body, you may develop shortness of breath, also called dyspnea, according to Asbestos.com. Dyspnea may cause panic because you are unable to take in enough air.
Breathing Pain
Pleural mesothelioma has as a main symptom pleurisy or painful breathing. This is caused by inflammation of the two membranes that surround the lungs. You may experience pain during inhalation and exhalation, but not between breaths, according to the Mayo Clinic. The pain may extend to your entire chest and it may be increased with coughing, breathing deeply or sneezing.
Coughing
Two types of coughing may occur as symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. The first is coughing with pain that also may include coughing up blood along with phlegm. The second is a type of cough known as a dry cough that does not produce phlegm or blood. A cough, according to the Mayo Clinic, is the way the body tries to expel irritants from the respiratory system. Normally, people cough with colds or the flu, but a persistent cough may be an indication of something more serious, including rarely asbestos inhalation.
