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    1. Home
    2. Health and wellbeing
    3. Illnesses and conditions
    4. A to Z

    Asbestosis

    Asbestosis is a serious long-term lung condition. It is caused by long periods of exposure to asbestos. See your GP if you have symptoms and think you may have been exposed to asbestos.

    About asbestos

    Asbestos is a whitish material that was used in buildings for insulation, flooring and roofing in the past, but is now no longer used.

    While asbestos can be dangerous, it doesn't present a health risk if left undisturbed.

    But if material containing asbestos is damaged, it can release a fine dust that contains asbestos fibres.

    When the dust is breathed in, the asbestos fibres enter the lungs and can gradually damage them over time.

    But you would need long periods of exposure to asbestos fibres, usually over many years, before you develop asbestosis.

    People at risk of getting asbestosis

    You may have been exposed to asbestos if you worked in an industry such as building or construction, particularly in the 1970s and 1990s.

    Now that asbestos is no longer used, those most at risk of being exposed to asbestos, include people whose jobs put them at risk of damaging any asbestos remaining in old buildings, such as electricians and demolition workers.

    • Asbestos

    Symptoms of asbestosis

    Breathing in asbestos fibres over many years eventually causes scarring of the lungs.

    Symptoms of this can include:

    • shortness of breath 
    • persistent cough
    • wheezing
    • extreme tiredness (fatigue)
    • pain in your chest or shoulder 
    • in more advanced cases, clubbed (swollen) fingertips

    When to see your GP

    You should see your GP if you have the symptoms above and think you may have been exposed to asbestos.

    Your GP will listen to your lungs and ask about your work history.

    They may refer you to a specialist in lung diseases for more tests if asbestosis is suspected.

    Tests may include:

    • a chest X-ray
    • a CT scan of the lungs
    • lung function tests to see how well your lungs are working

    Treatment for asbestosis

    There's no cure for asbestosis once it has developed, as it's not possible to reverse the damage to the lungs.

    But there are some treatments that can help, such as:

    • pulmonary rehabilitation – a programme of exercise sessions, discussion and advice to help you manage your symptoms
    • oxygen therapy – breathing in oxygen-rich air from a machine or tank to help improve breathlessness if your blood oxygen levels are low

    It's also important that you:

    • stop smoking if you smoke – symptoms can be worse in those who smoke, and smoking increases the risk of lung cancer
    • see your GP to have the flu vaccination and the pneumococcal vaccination – your lungs will be more vulnerable to infections like flu and pneumonia

    Complications of asbestosis

    People with asbestosis also have a higher risk of developing other serious conditions, such as:

    • pleural disease – thickening of the lining covering the lungs (pleura) 
    • mesothelioma – cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, tummy, heart or testicles 
    • lung cancer

    Support for people living with asbestosis

    Asbestosis can have a big impact on your life. But support is available to help you live as independently as you can and have the best possible quality of life.

    It might help to speak to others who have the same condition, or connect with a charity.

    • Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit  

    More useful links

    • How to use your health services
    • Cancer Research UK - mesothelioma
    • Mesothelioma UK

    The information on this page has been adapted from original content from the NHS website.

    For further information see terms and conditions.

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