Signs of asbestosis

by | Jan 18, 2019 | Firm News |

You may have heard that exposure to asbestos in the workplace can lead to cancer, and that is true. However, don’t assume that this means nothing will happen if you don’t get cancer. It’s still very dangerous and can lead to all manner of serious conditions. One of the most common is called asbestosis.

The problem is that all of those tiny asbestos fibers, though they’re small enough that you can inhale them, are sharp enough to cut and scar your lungs. That damage then leads to a chronic lung disease, which is asbestosis. While some symptoms are mild, they can also be very severe and may impact the rest of your life.

So, what signs should you watch out for? A few common ones include:

  • A dry cough that is persistent and will not heal
  • Always feeling like you’re short of breath
  • Losing weight, even without diet and exercise
  • Loss of appetite, which could be part of the reason that you’re dropping weight
  • Pain in your chest
  • Chest tightness
  • Clubbing, a disorder where your toes and fingertips get rounder and wider than they should be

One thing that is important to note is that you may not see these signs right away. In some cases, they don’t show up for decades. Most experts say it often takes from 10 to 40 years. If you think you were exposed, it is very important to keep looking out for these symptoms for years to come. You also need to make sure you know all of the legal options you have to seek out .

Archives

FindLaw Network