Asbestos is thought to be linked to emphysema although there's no definitive evidence linking asbestos to emphysema.
However emphysema is linked to smoking, breathing in irritants, cigar smoke etc.
The cause of emphysema is usually long-term exposure to irritants that damage your lungs and the airways.
In the United States, cigarette smoke is the main cause.
Pipe, cigar, and other types of tobacco smoke can also cause emphysema, especially if you inhale them.
Although there is no evidence definitively linking asbestos exposure directly with emphysema, there is much evidence to suggest such a connection.
Studies of HCT scans of patients diagnosed with asbestosis (a lung disease resulting from inhaling asbestos) have shown from 10% to 36% of these patients exhibit emphysema.
A blood test is usually done for asbestosis as well as some other tests such as X Ray, CT Scans and even Biopsies.
The blood test alone won't detect the Asbestosis but it can help with the diagnoses along with the other tests.
Asbestosis is usually diagnosed by a careful medical history, exposure history and chest X-ray or CT scan that shows scarring of the lung tissues.
This information, along with breathing tests, helps your doctor determine how severe your asbestosis is and how well your lung is functioning.
The common symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath, dry cough and swelling in the neck or face.
It takes at least 20 years after asbestos exposure for asbestosis to develop and for symptoms to become noticeable.
Can you test yourself for asbestos exposure?
The answer is no.
When it comes to asbestos exposure, there isn't a routine test available to test for related health conditions; however, there are several screening tools that can help your doctor pinpoint whether you are at risk.
Asbestosis is a chronic lung condition that is caused by prolonged exposure to high concentrations of asbestos fibers in the air.
Though asbestosis is believed to be mostly an occupational disease, there are reports of secondhand exposure to asbestos containing dust.
The symptoms of asbestosis include.
Shortness of breath.
Persistent dry cough.
Chest tightness or chest pain.
Weight loss from loss of appetite.
A dry, crackling sound in the lungs while breathing in.
Wider and rounder than normal fingertips and toes (clubbing)