Asbestos and COPD

Understanding Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a respiratory condition characterized by obstructed airflow to and from the lungs. 

However, COPD is not a single disease. It is, instead, a diagnostic label that can encompass several different illnesses. In the United States, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease typically includes the following conditions: 

• Emphysema. Emphysema can develop when there is significant damage to the walls between the air sacs of the lungs. People who have emphysema have weaker air sacs and may struggle breathing. 
• Chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis, or long-term bronchitis, is the inflammation of the interior lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs. Bronchitis can cause frequent and intense fits of coughing. 

Some physicians believe that asthma should also be considered a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, there is no uniform consensus on its categorization. 

The Symptoms of COPD

Since COPD is a progressive illness, it may not present with any symptoms—at least not immediately. If it does, then they may be mild and only scarcely noticeable. 

However, as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease begins to develop, its symptoms may become more serious and more alarming. 

The most common symptoms of COPD include the following: 

• Chronic cough, sometimes referred to as “smoker’s cough.” An ongoing cough is often the first symptom of a COPD. 
• Shortness of breath, which may be most pronounced during or shortly after physical activity. 
• Wheezing or whistling sounds that accompany ordinary breathing. 
• Tightness or a sense of heaviness in the chest, which may be either persistent or intermittent but recurring. 

Later-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can cause other symptoms, some of which may seem unrelated. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, these symptoms could include unexpected weight loss, general anxiety, and even depression.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses and COPD

Evidence suggests that asbestos exposure could increase individuals’ lifetime risk of developing COPD, but scientists have yet to determine whether asbestos exposure can, in and of itself, cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 

Nevertheless, it appears that the complications of some asbestos-related conditions could contribute to its development. 

Asbestosis, for instance, is another chronic lung disease that caused by asbestos exposure. When people inhale microscopic asbestos fibers, they can become lodged within the alveoli, small sacs within the lungs that convert oxygen to carbon dioxide. Over time, these fibers can irritate and scar the surrounding tissue, making it more and more difficult to breathe. 

People who suffer from moderate to severe asbestosis may develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a complication of asbestosis. 

Identifying Asbestos-Related Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is difficult to diagnose, in large part because its symptoms overlap with those of other common respiratory conditions. 

If and when COPD is present alongside asbestos-related illnesses, like asbestosis, your doctor may need to perform additional diagnostic tests to confirm its presence. These tests could include the following: 

• Lung function tests. A lung function test measures the amount of air that an individual can inhale and exhale. Spirometry, a common form of lung function test, uses a large tube connected to a small machine. The patient blows into the tube, which assesses lung volume, capacity, and relative function. 
• Chest x-rays. Chest x-rays can detect emphysema as well as asbestosis, pleural effusions, malignant pleural mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related conditions. 
• CT scans. CT scans can identify a variety of respiratory conditions. 
• Arterial blood gas analysis. Arterial blood gas analyses measure lung function by evaluating the respiratory system’s ability to exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide. 

• Laboratory tests. Laboratory tests cannot necessarily detect or diagnose chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but they may be used to investigate other potential causes of respiratory failure and distress.

Treatment of COPD

There is no cure for COPD, but there are therapies proven to help the symptoms and suffering.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 

However, certain forms of therapy have been proven to relieve COPD-related symptoms. Your physician might recommend: 

Lifestyle Changes

If you smoke cigarettes, then quitting is likely the first step in alleviating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-related pain. Smoking cessation could prevent COPD from progressing and, in some cases, improve lung function. 

Medication

A wide variety of medications are used to treat COPD, including the following: 

• Bronchodilators, such as albuterol and levalbuterol 
• Inhaled steroids, including fluticasone and budesonide 
• Common inhalers, like formoterol and budesonide, fluticasone and vilanterol, and salmeterol and fluticasone 

Lung Therapy 

Lung therapy could include: 

• Oxygen therapy, which provides supplemental oxygen to the lungs via a small, portrable device. Different  types of oxygen therapy can make it easier for COPD patients to exercise their independence and complete everyday tasks and chores. 
• Pulmonary rehabilitation programs, which typically include some combination of educational courses, exercise training, nutrition advice, and counseling. 

Surgery

Surgery is a last-resort option for patients with some forms of severe emphysema. A surgery could involve the extraction of damaged lung tissue, or include the transportation of an entire lung.