SILICOSIS

General Information

DEFINITION--Inflammation of the lung due to breathing silica (quartz) dust. Silicosis is the most common form of pneumoconiosis (a group of lung diseases caused by inhaling certain mineral dusts).

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Lungs.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Men and women 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 loss.
• Chest pain; hoarseness.
• Coughing blood.
• Symptoms of heart failure; bluish nails.

CAUSES--Chronic inhalation of small particles of free crystalline silica (silicon dioxide). Usually takes 20 to 30 years of exposure, but possibly less than 10 years if exposure is extremely high.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Work such as mining, granite-cutting, manufacturing pottery, metal-grinding, tunneling and sand-blasting.
• Poor nutrition; smoking.

HOW TO PREVENT

• During exposure to silica, wear a protective mask or external-air-supplied hood.
• Don't smoke.
• Participate in a regular physical exercise program to maintain cardiopulmonary fitness.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Medical history and exam by a doctor.
• X-ray of the chest, pulmonary function tests and bronchoscopy (see Bronchoscopy in Surgery section).

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.
• There is no overall effective treatment available for silicosis. Treatment is directed to relieving respiratory symptoms, manage complications and prevent infections.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Tuberculosis (late stages of silicosis).
• Heart failure due to lung disease.
• Lung collapse; pleurisy; lung cancer.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--This condition is currently considered incurable. Life expectancy is reduced. Silicosis causes increasing respiratory disability. However, symptoms can be relieved or controlled. Scientific research into causes and treatment continues, so there is hope for increasingly effective treatment.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• No effective treatment is known for silicosis.
• The following measures may relieve symptoms and protect against recurrent lung infections: Obtain medical treatment for any respiratory infection, including the common cold. Prevent infections by avoiding crowds and persons with respiratory infections. Get influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations. Consider moving to a warm, dry climate if you have advanced disease. Chest physical therapy (such as controlled coughing) and bronchial drainage help clear secretions. Get medical training about these procedures. Use a cool-mist, ultrasonic humidifier to loosen bronchial secretions so they may be coughed up easily. Clean humidifier daily.
• See Resources for Additional Information.

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 to the maximum.
• For minor discomfort, you may use non-prescription drugs, such as acetaminophen or aspirin.

ACTIVITY--

• Rest in bed with infections.
• After treatment, resume normal activity as soon as symptoms improve. Pace yourself, rest often and plan daily activities to minimize breathing difficulties.

DIET--No special diet. Maintain high fluid intake.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of silicosis.
• The following occurs during treatment: Fever. Increased chest pain or breathlessness. Blood in the sputum. Continuing weight loss. Confusion or lethargy.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.