In most cases if the asbestosis turns into mesothelioma it takes around 10 to 20 years after getting the absestosis before the asbestosis turns into mesothelioma.
Asbestosis can even lead to mesothelioma. Although asbestosis isn't cancer, there are long-term complications due to the permanent scarring of lung tissue. Unfortunately, there currently is no cure for asbestosis.
Asbestosis and mesothelioma are both diseases caused by asbestos exposure, but they are not the same.
The primary difference is that asbestosis is not cancerous and is limited to the lungs and respiratory tract.
Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer that develops in mesothelial tissue, typically in the lungs and abdomen.
Asbestosis can be seen on a CT scan.
Computed tomography or CT scan may be more useful in indicating asbestosis and asbestos-related pleural disease than the chest x-ray, particularly in those cases in which the chest x-ray is ambiguous or in asbestos-exposed patients who have normal chest x-rays.
A CT scan is the most common way of diagnosing and detecting asbestosis.
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)