All about silicosis  causes of silicosis symptoms of silicosis diagnosis of silicosis treatment for silicosis prevention of silicosis |
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What're the symptoms of silicosis?
Initially there may be no symptoms. Later there may be difficulty in breathing and cough may be present. Infectious complications may cause fever, weight loss, and night sweats. Early symptoms of silicosis include shortness of breath after exercising and a harsh, dry cough. Patients may have more trouble breathing and cough up blood as the disease progresses. Congestive heart failure can give their nails a bluish tint. Patients with advanced silicosis may have trouble sleeping and experience chest pain, hoarseness, and loss of appetite. Silicosis patients are at high risk for TB, and should be checked for the disease during the doctor's examination. People who have the more serious type, complicated silicosis, may cough, produce sputum, and have severe shortness of breath. At first, the shortness of breath may occur only during exercise, but eventually it occurs even during rest. Breathing may worsen for years after the person stops working with silica. |
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More information on silicosis
What is silicosis? - Silicosis is a disabling, nonreversible and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by overexposure to respirable crystalline silica.
What causes silicosis? - Silicosis is caused by overexposure to respirable crystalline silica. Particles of silica dust get trapped in the tiny sacs (alveoli) in the lungs.
What're the symptoms of silicosis? - Symptoms of silicosis include shortness of breath after exercising and a harsh, dry cough, chest pain, hoarseness, and loss of appetite.
How is silicosis diagnosed? - Silicosis is diagnosed when someone who has worked with silica has a chest x-ray that shows the distinctive patterns of scarring and nodules.
What is the treatment for silicosis? - There is no specific treatment for silicosis. Removal of the source of silica exposure is important to prevent further worsening of the disease.
How to prevent silicosis? - Silicosis is a preventable disease. The key to silicosis prevention is to prevent dust from being in the air. |
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