Asbestos is a soft material made of flexible microscopic fibers. Though it is an effective insulator that is resistant to heat, corrosion, and electricity, it is also highly toxic when ingested or inhaled. Because of its poisonous nature, asbestos has been linked to several diseases including mesothelioma and asbestosis. However, they are not the same illness. Here is some valuable information about each condition as well as their similarities, differences, and treatments.

What Are Mesothelioma & Asbestosis?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells found in the membranes that cover internal organs. When the fibers are inhaled or swallowed, the material can settle within the lungs or stomach and cause an irritation that can eventually lead to mesothelioma. Unfortunately, the condition can take 20 to 50 years to manifest.

Asbestosis is a lung condition that can take 10 to 40 years to show up after exposure to asbestos. The fibers can get lodged in the small sacs within the lungs that exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide. Asbestos can irritate the lungs and produce scar tissue, which will make breathing difficult.

What Are the Symptoms of Each Condition?

Mesothelioma and asbestos have similar symptoms as well as a long latency period. Patients may experience muscle weakness, shortness of breath, fever, dry cough, wheezing, respiratory difficulties, and chest pain. Because the symptoms are so similar, it can be challenging to distinguish the diseases from each other. For a diagnosis, multiple tests administered by medical professionals is required. X-rays and CT scans are used to identify lung damage caused by asbestosis, and biopsies can determine the presence of mesothelioma.

How Are the Treatments?

Though patients of both conditions receive pain relief, asbestosis treatment also includes antibiotics, pulmonary medications, and breathing tanks. Mesothelioma, however, is highly aggressive, and there is no cure. However, treatments are available to improve symptoms and prolong life, which may include removing tumors around the lungs or removing the lung itself.

Protect your health and those around you by contacting the professionals at Action Asbestos Removal in Montville, CT, for an efficient asbestos removal service. Serving residents in southeastern and eastern Connecticut for over 25 years, these asbestos experts work diligently to eliminate this toxic material from homes and other structures with minimal disruptions. To schedule an asbestos abatement or testing, call (860) 848-2912 or visit them online today for more information about their helpful services.