Detection of Asbestos-Related Diseases in Chicago
The diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease in Chicago takes some time. Because the disease can manifest itself as many as 10 to 40 years after the exposure, it is sometimes a difficult and slow process to complete a diagnosis.
With this in mind, it is important to have a complete medical history and physical exam, and to inform a doctor of any symptom that may be related to asbestos exposure. Doctors often can perform x-rays of the chest or the abdomen, lung function tests, CT scans as well as an MRI. Other more invasive procedures can be used including a biopsy of lung tissue and other tissues.
If you want to know more about the methods and process of the detection of asbestos-related diseases and injuries in Chicago in order to file a claim, you should contact an experienced Chicago asbestos lawyer right away.
Types of Diseases
There are a variety of different asbestos-related diseases and injuries that can be detected in Chicago. Asbestos exposure can be either inhaled or it can get on clothing and skin, which later can be inhaled or ingested.
Pleural Plaque
Pleural plaque is a form of asbestos poisoning where there are changes that occur in the membrane surrounding the lungs. The thickening of the membranes occurs as well.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a particular form of asbestos poisoning. It is an inflammatory condition of the lungs that can cause shortness of breath and eventually scarring of the lungs themselves that make it very difficult to breathe.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer links to exposure to asbestos in the form of a tumor. It can be the result of exposure to asbestos that causes a tumor in the lungs; which can be located in different areas of the lungs and in the lung tissue.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, the chest cavity, and the abdomen that is caused by exposure and inhalation of asbestos fibers.
Symptoms of Exposure
The symptoms of an asbestos-related disease or injury may not be apparent for many years, even decades, after the exposure. An individual who knows or learns of exposure to asbestos to check with a doctor if any symptoms relating to asbestos poisoning exists.
Those symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Hoarseness in speaking
- Wheezing, and a persistent cough that gets worse over time and does not go away
- Blood and fluid coughed up from the lungs
- Pain or tightening in the chest
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swelling of the neck or face
- Loss of appetite
- Unusual and unexpected weight loss
- Continual fatigue and anemia
Asbestos poisoning can also cause excessive sweating, abnormal belly pain, swelling or fluid in the abdomen, nausea, and vomiting. One other symptom of asbestosis is that the fingertips and the toes of the individual appear lighter and rounder than normal, almost a clubbing effect of their fingers and toes. Detection of asbestos-related diseases and injuries in Chicago rely on the honest exposure of these symptoms from clients to their doctors.
Risk Factors of Exposure
People who worked in mining, milling or manufacturing as well as the installation or removal of asbestos products mostly before the late ’70s are at the highest risk of contracting asbestosis and asbestos-related injuries.
The dose of the amount of asbestos an individual exposed to: an important factor in understanding and detecting asbestos-related diseases and injuries in Chicago. In conjunction with that, the duration of their exposure. For example, in the instance of a pipefitter or some other member of the trade, attorneys will want to know at what levels of exposure to asbestos and length of exposure at those levels? How long were they working with asbestos? What were the conditions that they were working in, were there things like proper ventilation and masks?
In addition, whether they were actually cutting the asbestos-containing materials, cutting the materials causes the asbestos fibers to go airborne, creating a much higher risk of exposure and inhalation; and it is that inhalation of the fibers that creates the greatest risk for contracting an asbestos-related disease.
Risk factors:
- Size.
- Also, shape.
- Lastly, particular chemical makeup of the asbestos fibers.
The source of the exposure, whether in a workplace with or in the building; and what was providing the asbestos material and the exposure are also important factors. Additionally, someone already suffering from lung-related conditions would create a higher risk for developing an asbestos-related disease.
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