PNEUMOCONIOSIS

 Basic information

description

Pneumoconiosis is a lung inflammation caused by breathing in certain dusts. The dusts come from workplace exposure. It usually takes at least 10 years of exposure and up to 25 years for pneumoconiosis to develop. Only a few persons exposed to the dusts actually become ill. It usually affects men over age 40.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Early symptoms:
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Cough that produces little or no sputum.
  • General ill feeling.
• Late symptoms:
  • Restless sleep.
  • Appetite and weight loss.
  • Chest pain.
  • Hoarseness; coughing up blood.
  • Bluish nails.

causes

• Inhaling certain dusts for many years may cause little patches of irritation to form in one or both lungs. The scar tissue (called fibrosis) formed by the irritation may make the lungs less flexible and porous. There are several forms of pneumoconiosis:
  • Coal dust causes black-lung disease (coal miner's pneumoconiosis, anthracosis).
  • Beryllium and its compounds (once used in manufacturing fluorescent lamp bulbs, ceramics, and chemicals) cause berylliosis.
  • Talc, iron, cotton, synthetic fiber, and aluminum dusts cause a rare form of pneumoconiosis.
  • Asbestos and silica cause asbestosis and silicosis.

risk increases with

Greater amounts of dust inhaled over the years.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• Practice safety during exposure to work-place dusts. Wear a protective mask or external-air-supplied hood. Get an x-ray once a year.
• Don't smoke. Smoking is not a risk factor in itself, but can worsen symptoms and increase complications.

expected outcomes

This condition is currently considered incurable. Symptoms can be relieved or controlled. It reduces life span, but many patients live into their 60s and 70s.

possible complications

• Congestive heart failure.
• Lung collapse, pleurisy, or other lung disease.
• Tuberculosis (in the late stages).
• Lung cancer.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and activities. Be sure to tell your provider about your work history and any exposure to work-place dusts. Medical tests may include a chest x-ray, pulmonary function tests, and others to confirm diagnosis and check for complications.
• Drugs and lung therapy may help the symptoms and treat complications.
• Avoid any further exposure to the work-place dusts.
• Quit smoking. Find a way to stop that works for you.
• Get medical care for any respiratory infection (such as a cold). Get influenza and pneumococcal vaccines.
• Chest physical therapy (such as controlled coughing) and bronchial drainage help clear secretions. Get medical training about these procedures.
• To learn more: American Lung Association, 61 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10006; (800) 586-4872; website: www.lungusa.org.

medications

• Antibiotics may be prescribed for infections.
• Bronchodilators (inhaled or oral) with inhalation therapy may be prescribed. This is supervised at first by an inhalation therapist.
• For minor discomfort, you may use nonprescription drugs, such as acetaminophen or aspirin (for adults).

activity

An exercise program is usually recommended.

diet

No special diet. Maintain high fluid intake.

 notify our office if

• You or a family member has symptoms of pneumoconiosis.
• The following occur during treatment:
  • Temperature of 101°F (38.3°C) or more.
  • Increased chest pain or shortness of breath.
  • Blood in sputum.
  • Continuing weight loss.
  • Unexplained symptoms develop.

Special Notes: