SILICOSIS

 Basic information

description

Silicosis is a chronic lung condition caused by breathing silica (quartz) dust. Silicosis is world-wide and is the most common form of pneumoconiosis. This is a group of lung diseases caused by inhaling certain mineral dusts. Silicosis most often affects older males (due to work exposure).

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Early symptoms:
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Cough that produces little or no sputum.
  • General ill feeling.
• Later symptoms:
  • Fitful sleep and appetite loss.
  • Chest pain, hoarseness, and coughing blood.
  • Symptoms of heart failure.
  • Bluish nails.

causes

Chronic breathing in of small particles of free crystalline silica dust. The dust may be invisible to the naked eye. It is so light that it can remain in the air for a long time. The disorder causes lung inflammation and then scarring of lung tissues. It usually takes 20 to 30 years of exposure to develop silicosis. If exposure is extremely high, it may take less than 10 years. An acute form may occur following massive exposure to dusts.

risk increases with

• Work such as mining, granite-cutting, concrete mixing and drilling, manufacturing pottery, metal-grinding, tunneling, sand-blasting, and others.
• Smoking adds to possible lung damage.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• Be aware of the risks and follow all training and preventive instructions provided for your work. Get health screenings on a regular basis.
• Employers are required to take certain preventive measures to reduce exposure for workers.
• Don't smoke.

expected outcomes

There is no cure and silicosis causes increasing lung problems. Outcome will vary for each individual depending on amount of lung damage. Symptoms can sometimes be relieved or controlled.

possible complications

• Pulmonary tuberculosis (late stages of silicosis).
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Lung fibrosis (scar tissue).
• Heart failure.

 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 silica. Medical tests may include x-ray of the chest, pulmonary function tests, CT, and others to confirm the diagnosis and check for complications.
• No specific treatment is known for silicosis. Drugs and lung therapy may help the symptoms and treat complications.
• Avoid any further exposure to silica dust.
• Quit smoking. Find a way to stop that works for you.
• Obtain medical treatment for any respiratory infection, including the common cold.
• Get influenza and pneumococcal vaccines.
• Consider moving to a warm, dry climate if you have advanced disease.
• Chest physical therapy (such as controlled coughing) and bronchial drainage help clear secretions. Get medical training about these procedures.
• Lung transplant may be an option for certain patients.
• 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.

activity

No limits, except those caused by symptoms.

diet

No special diet. Maintain high fluid intake.

 notify our office if

• You or a family member has symptoms of silicosis.
• Fever, increased chest pain or breathing problems, blood in the sputum, or other new symptoms develop.

Special Notes: