Asbestosis Symptoms

Symptoms of Asbestosis

Asbestosis is fibrosis, or scarring of the lungs caused by moderate  or heavy exposure to asbestos.  It usually progresses slowly and can cause severe breathlessness.

 
 
 

Asbestosis Symptoms

Asbestosis symptoms vary depending upon the severity of the condition but they generally include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Coughing
  • Chest pain
  • Reduced mobility or exercise capacity

It can take between and 10 and 20 years for the symptoms to appear after being exposed to asbestos.

Asbestosis symptoms Many people who are eventually diagnosed with asbestosis have a long history of attendances at the GP with repeat chest infections and breathlessness over many years .

The GP will then send the sufferer for further investigations and tests at hospital. Initially this is usually a chest x-ray, which may show the asbestosis.  The sufferer is then usually sent to be reviewed by a consultant in a local hospital’s chest clinic where the diagnosis is explained and the options of symptom control can be discussed.

There are other chest conditions which have the same symptoms as asbestosis and  are very similar.  To assist the treating consultant it is important that you discuss your asbestos exposure with them so that this can be taken into account when they come to consider the diagnosis.

 

 
If you or a family member have recently been diagnosed with Asbestosis and want to know more about your right to claim and the process involved click here or call us on 0800 294 3065.