This post is only for informative purpose ,kindly seek a registered physician or proffesional if you were or had contact with asbestos.
Asbestos, a mineral known for its carcinogenic properties, comprises flexible fibers that possess resistance to heat, electricity and corrosion. These qualities made asbestos valuable for various product applications. However, these same qualities contribute to the risks associated with asbestos exposure. Such risks include asbestosis and mesothelioma.
The Malta Independent in january 2015 reported that Asbestos has been banned in 55 countries, including Malta, but this does not mean that asbestos is not around us. In the case of Malta, an asbestos removal company speaking with this newspaper reported that while other countries halted the use of asbestos many years ago, Malta was not as rapid in addressing these dangers, and asbestos-containing materials were still being utilised years later. This is what may have led to Malta being ranked as one of the countries to have the highest incidences of cancer associated with asbestos exposure.
Asbestosis is usually a long-term lung disease that is caused by being exposed to asbestos fibres for a long time but even a single exposure might be deleteriousAsbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in many different businesses because it can withstand heat and last for a long time. Asbestos fibres can get stuck in the lungs and cause swelling and inflammation over time if they are inhaled. Asbestosis usually comes on slowly and can present a long time after exposure It can cause shortness of breath, a cough which is persistent, chest pain, and a dry cracking sound in the lungs when a doctors auscultates the chest. In severe cases, asbestosis can make it hard to breathe and cause problems with the heart.
On the other hand, mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that mostly affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), but it can also develop in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), heart (pericardial mesothelioma), or testicles (testicular mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is mostly caused by contact to asbestos, just like asbestosis. But it' is important to remember that not everyone who comes in contact with asbestos will develop mesothelioma. Between being exposed to asbestos and getting mesothelioma can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years. Depending on the part of the body where the cancer is, mesothelioma can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, weight loss, tiredness, and swelling in the abdomen.
Even though both asbestosis and mesothelioma are caused by asbestos exposure and damage the lungs, there are some important differences between the two:
1. Type of Disease: Asbestosis is a long-term lung disease that causes damage in the lungs. Mesothelioma, on the other hand, is a type of cancer that affects the linings of organs.
2. How it gets worse and how likely it is to get better: Asbestosis gets worse but is not cancer, while mesothelioma is a cancer that gets worse and has a poor outlook. Asbestosis can cause problems with the lungs as it causes pulmonary fibrosisbut it doesn't spread to other parts of the body the way mesothelioma does.
Treatment Options: There are different ways to treat asbestosis and mesothelioma. Asbestosis is mostly treated symptomatically and this thus keeping people from being exposed to asbestos again is very important Depending on where and how far along the cancer is, mesothelioma can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or targeted medicines.
It is important to note that asbestos is the main cause of both asbestosis and mesothelioma. So, the best way to keep from getting these diseases is to stay away from asbestos fibres. If you think you may have been exposed to asbestos or if you have signs of diseases caused by asbestos, you should see a doctor right away to get an accurate diagnosis and the right medical care. This will be mostly in the form of episodic monitoring with chest x-rays and li g function testing
Collection of asbestos should be carried out by appropriately protected experts such as Wasteserv Applications can be filled on : Notification by Employers for the Removal of Asbestos (gov.mt) or call 21255153 .
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