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Silicosis - Silicosis symptom, treatment, causes

Silicosis is a lung disease resulting from long-term inhalation of dust containing silica, a mineral found in sand, quartz and some types of rock. Fine particles of silica cause tiny areas of inflammation in lung tissue that may eventually lead to EMPHYSEMA and CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE, silicosis used to be common in miners. but is now rare wherever industrial hygiene to reduce dust inhalation is practised. As lung damage from the disease cannot be reversed, treatment consists of measures to drain sputum and prevent infection.

Silicosis is a form of pneumoconiosis caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust, and is marked by inflammation and scarring in forms of nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs. When crystalline silica (a component of silica dust) is inhaled, it causes inflammation of the lung tissue. This inflammation leads to scar tissue formation on the lungs. The scar tissue obstructs the flow of oxygen into the lungs and into the bloodstream. Before it was identified and named in the 1930s, silicosis was known by a variety of names, such as dust consumption, grinder's asthma, grinder's rot, grit consumption, mason's disease, miner's asthma, miner's phthisis, potter's rot, rock tuberculosis, and stonemason's disease. More than 1 million U.S. workers are exposed to crystalline silica. Each year, more than 250 American workers die with silicosis. There is no cure for the disease, but it is 100 percent preventable if employers, workers, and health professionals work together to reduce exposures. In addition to silicosis, inhalation of crystalline silica particles has been associated with other diseases, such as bronchitis and tuberculosis. Some studies also indicate an association with lung cancer.

Silica is the second most common mineral in earth's crust and is a major component of sand, rock and mineral ore. It is typically found in certain types of workers who are exposed to "silica". Long-term exposure to free crystalline "silica", which is essentially dust, enters the lungs of a victim. The lungs will react to the silica by developing scarring around the silica which leads to a dangerous condition making it difficult for a person to breath. Many people with silicosis eventually die and are at a high risk of developing other diseases such as tuberculosis. Silicosis has been commonly referred to as miners asthma and potters rot. The most common form of silicosis might not be detected for 10-35 years after a workers initial exposure. Some telltale symptoms of silica exposure include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and severe cough and flu-like symptoms. Silicosis can be detected by a simple chest x-ray. By the time silicosis is diagnosed, it is often too late for the victim to fully recover.

Causes of Silicosis

The common Causes of Silicosis :

• The cause of the most common form of scoliosis that develops in childhood is unknown, hence its name - idiopathic scoliosis.
• Scoliosis may also develop due to unequal leg length or as a result of injury to the spine.
• Injury, infection, disease, or birth defects can cause it.
• This type of scoliosis is a temporary condition when the spine is otherwise normal. The curvature occurs as the result of another problem.
• Congenital scoliosis is a type of birth defect that affects the development of the vertebrae and often occurs with other congenital problems.
• The curvature is caused by another disease process such as a birth defect, muscular dystrophy, metabolic diseases, connective tissue disorders, or Marfan syndrome.
• Scoliosis may also develop as a result of malformations of the spine present at birth or in association with spina bifida.

Symptoms of Silicosis

Some common Symptoms of Silicosis :

• Chronic cough .
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Weakness.
• Tachypnea or shortness of breath after physical exertion.
• Fatigue or tiredness.
• Loss of appetite.
• Chest pain.
• Night sweats .

Treatment of Silicosis

• Antibiotics and antitubercular agents to prevent tuberculosis . These include isoniazid , rifampin , and pyrazinamide .
• Chest physiotherapy to help the bronchial drainage of mucus .
• Oxygen administration to avoid hypoxemia .
• If the curve is less than 25°, no treatment is required, and the child can be reexamined every 4-6 months.
• Stopping further exposure to silica and other lung irritants, including tobacco smoking .
• Bronchodilators to facilitate breathing.
• Corticosteroid therapy.
• In severe cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to correct a curve or stop it from worsening if you are still growing.