All about berylliosis (beryllium disease)  chronic beryllium disease acute beryllium disease symptoms of berylliosis (beryllium disease) diagnosis of berylliosis treatment for berylliosis (beryllium disease) |
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What's the treatment for berylliosis (beryllium disease)?
Acute beryllium disease may be severe. Most people recover in 7 to 10 days, with appropriate treatment, such as ventilator support and corticosteroid drugs. However, some people with severe disease die. Ventilators can help patients with acute
berylliosis breathe. Prompt corticosteroid therapy is required to lessen lung inflammation. Chronic beryllium disease is incurable. Corticosteroid therapy is often prescribed, but it is not certain that steroids can alter the progression of the disease, and they have no effect on scarring of lung tissue. Cleansing the lungs of beryllium is a slow process, so long-term therapy may be required. Chelation therapy is currently under investigation as a treatment for the disease.
Patients who are sensitized to beryllium, but do not yet have the disease do not need treatment. However, they do need to be checked by a doctor regularly for signs of disease. Patients who have early beryllium disease, but do not yet have symptoms, might not require treatment right away. However, they need to be checked by a doctor regularly. Some people who are detected at the early stages may go many years without needing treatment. Patients with beryllium disease who do have symptoms and abnormal breathing tests are usually treated with prednisone. This is a type of corticosteroid that fights inflammation. Treatment with this medication often stabilizes the disease and improves symptoms. Other immune suppressing medicines may also help. Beryllium particles imbedded in the skin often must be removed before skin wounds will heal. |
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More information on berylliosis (beryllium disease)
What is berylliosis (beryllium disease)? - Berylliosis (or beryllium disease) is caused by the inhalation of beryllium particles, dust or fumes. Ventilators can help patients with acute berylliosis breathe.
What is chronic beryllium disease? - Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is characterized by the inflammation of the lungs caused by exposure to Beryllium fumes or dust.
What is acute beryllium disease? - Acute beryllium disease presents as an acute, toxic, exudative pneumonitis. Acute beryllium disease usually has a quick onset and resembles pneumonia or bronchitis.
What're the symptoms of berylliosis (beryllium disease)? - Symptoms of beryllium disease may include cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, weight loss and/or loss of appetite, fevers and night sweats.
How is berylliosis (beryllium disease) diagnosed? - The diagnosis of berylliosis (beryllium disease) is based on the person's history of exposure to beryllium, the symptoms, and characteristic changes on a chest x-ray.
What's the treatment for berylliosis (beryllium disease)? - Ventilators can help patients with acute berylliosis breathe. Prompt corticosteroid therapy is required to lessen lung inflammation. |
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