суббота, 9 января 2010 г.

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease that results in breathlessness. Asbestosis is caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. Asbestosis is incurable, but treatment is available to help reduce the symptoms.

Asbestos is a general term that is used to refer to a group of minerals made up of long, crystal fibres. It was widely used in 20th century in building and manufacturing industries. It was used in products such as insulation, fire-retardant materials, cement, and some vinyl floor tiles. The use of asbestos is banned now in the UK and EU countries. However, asbestos is still used in the many countries.

If asbestos undamaged, it does not present a health risk. But asbestos dust can damage the lungs and trigger asbestosis.

The symptoms of asbestosis usually begin many years after ( from 15-20 years to 40-60 years) the inhalation of asbestos dust.

Prolonged accumulation of asbestos fibers in lungs can cause scarring of lung tissue and shortness of breath.

In the most serious cases, asbestosis can place an enormous strain on a health and shorten life. People with asbestosis also have a high risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma. Both lung cancer and mesothelioma can develop many years after the inhalation of asbestos dust; usually between 40-60 years.

воскресенье, 3 января 2010 г.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma


Mesothelioma is type of cancer that occur in the mesothelium. Mesothelium is a thin layer of cells lining the body's internal organs. This is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body.

There are three recognized types of mesothelioma.
1. Pleural mesothelioma.
2. Peritoneal mesothelioma.
3. Pericardial mesothelioma.

1. Pleural mesothelioma is a most common type of mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma accounting roughly 70% cases. Pleura this is a membrane that surrounds the lungs and wall of the chest cavity.
2. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity. Lining of the abdominal cavity known as the peritoneum. Peritoneum covers most of the organs of abdominal cavity.
3. Pericardial mesothelioma originates in the pericardium. The pericardium is the mesothelial tissue that covers and protects the heart.

Mesothelioma is rare type of cancer, but each year in the United States are diagnosed 2000 new cases of mesothelioma.
Symptoms of mesothelioma

Mesothelioma starts as a lot of tiny nodules in the pleura. This nodules may not show up on scans or x-rays until they are quite large. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are breathlessness and chest pain. Some people find that their voice becomes hoarse and they have a cough that does not go away.

Peritoneal mesothelioma often causes swelling and pain in the abdomen.
Mesothelioma diagnosis

Methods of diagnosing mesothelioma.

* X-ray
* Computed tomography
* Magnetic resonance imaging
* Positron emission tomography
* Video - assisted Thoracoscopic surgery
* Thoracoscopy
* Peritoneoscopy
* Biopsy