Asbestosis and Mesothelioma are chronic diseases related to exposure to asbestos.
Asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by the thickening and scarring of the alveoli (air sacs) in the lung by asbestos fibers. The fibers pierce the walls of the cells lining the alveoli, which causes an immune reaction.
The body sends macrophages (hunter-killer cells) to ingest and break up the fibers; unfortunately, asbestos is too durable for macrophages to digest. They die off, releasing certain chemicals that attract more macrophages.
As each macrophage dies, it leaves a small amount of fibrotic scar tissue behind, which causes the walls of the alveoli to thicken. And since the alveoli are where oxygen is transferred into the blood, the thickening of their walls reduces both the amount of oxygen transferred to the blood and the amount of carbon dioxide removed from it. The primary result of this is the patient’s extreme shortness of breath on exertion, and, in severe cases, respiratory failure.
People with extensive on-the-job exposure to asbestos are most at risk of developing asbestosis. The disease itself usually does not appear for several years after the initial exposure.
If you have asbestosis as the result on on-the-job asbestos exposure, you may be owed compensation, and should seek legal help immediately.
