PNEUMOCONIOSIS

General Information

DEFINITION--Inflammation of the lung caused by breathing industrial dusts. Inhalation of such particles continuously for many years may cause little patches of irritation to form in one or both lungs. The scar tissue formed by the irritation may make the lungs less flexible and porous. Pneumoconiosis is not contagious.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Lungs.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Men over age 40.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Early symptoms:

Shortness of breath; cough that produces little or no sputum; general ill feeling.

Late symptoms:

• Fitful sleep; appetite and weight loss; chest pain; hoarseness; coughing blood.
• Symptoms of congestive heart failure.
• Bluish nails.
• Shadows on the lungs (on chest x-rays).

CAUSES--

Exposure to small particles of industrial dusts cause the following forms of pneumoconiosis:

• Coal dust causes black-lung disease (coal miner's pneumoconiosis, anthracosis).
• Beryllium and its compounds once used in manufacturing fluorescent lamp bulbs, ceramics and chemicals cause berylliosis.
• Talc, iron, cotton, synthetic fiber and aluminum dusts cause a rare form.
• Asbestos and silica cause asbestosis and silicosis.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Poor nutrition; smoking.
• Excess alcohol consumption.
• Amount of dust inhaled over the years.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Practice safety during exposure to industrial dusts, wear a protective mask or external-air-supplied hood. Get an x-ray once a year.
• Participate in a physical exercise program to maintain good cardiopulmonary fitness.
• Avoid lung irritants like secondhand cigarette smoke or dust. Don't smoke.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Medical history and exam by a doctor.
• X-ray of chest and pulmonary function studies.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.
• Treatment is directed to relieving symptoms and treating complications.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Congestive heart failure.
• Lung collapse; pleurisy.
• Tuberculosis in the late stages.
• Cancer.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--This condition is currently considered incurable. However, symptoms can be relieved or controlled. It reduces life expectancy, but many patients live into their 60s and 70s. Research into causes and treatment continues, so there is hope for increasingly effective treatment and cure.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• The following measures may relieve symptoms and protect against recurrent lung infections: Obtain medical treatment for any respiratory infection, including the common cold. Consider moving to a warm, dry climate if your disease is advanced. Practice bronchial drainage. Your doctor will provide instructions. Use a cool-mist or ultrasonic humidifier to loosen bronchial secretions so they may be coughed up easily. Clean humidifier daily. Stop smoking.
• Wear a Medic-Alert (See Glossary) bracelet or neck tag that indicates your medical problem and any medications you take.

MEDICATION--

• Your doctor may prescribe: Antibiotics for infections. Bronchodilators (inhaled or oral) with inhalation therapy (supervised at first by an inhalation therapist) to open bronchial tubes.
• For minor discomfort, you may use non-prescription drugs, such as acetaminophen or aspirin.

ACTIVITY--

• Rest in bed with infections.
• After treatment, conserve energy when necessary, attempt physical conditioning to the extent possible.

DIET--No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

• The following occurs during treatment: Temperature spike of 101F (38.3C) or more. Increased chest pain or breathlessness. Blood in sputum. Continuing weight loss.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop.