Being diagnosed with asbestosis can be very difficult for you to comprehend. Being told by your doctor that you have a serious lung condition that could ultimately kill you is not something you think will happen. But, if you’ve worked in an industry known for asbestos (shipbuilding and construction), the likelihood that you’ll develop asbestosis is much higher than if you didn’t work in such an industry.
If the news of being diagnosed with asbestosis isn’t bad enough, there currently is no cure for this illness. Because there’s a lack of a cure, doctors can only help patients deal with the symptoms and any associated pain. Some of the treatment options available can help reduce the symptoms but the patient will need to remain on the treatment for the rest of their life.
For those who have an incredibly difficult time breathing, they can be prescribed an oxygen tank to help with airflow. The best way to use the tank is through a mask or the tubes that insert into your nostrils for supplemental oxygen.
If your condition is extremely severe you could be a candidate for a lung transplant. This would be in the late stages of the illness and could take quite a long time to see through due to waiting lists.
Treatment of asbestosis is also done with the prevention of the disease getting any worse. For example, you should never return to the job where you were exposed to asbestos. You also should stop smoking immediately if you smoke cigarettes or cigars.
Have you been diagnosed with asbestosis or mesothelioma in Kingsport? Receiving such a diagnosis will change your life. It’s best to consult with an experienced asbestos attorney in Tennessee who can answer all of your questions and guide you in the right legal direction.
Source: MedBroadcast, “Asbestosis,” accessed Nov. 24, 2017