Sunday, February, 12, 2012

Asbestosis

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Pulmonary fibrosis - from asbestos exposure; Interstitial pneumonitis - from asbestos exposure


Symptoms
  • Chest pain
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath on exertion (slowly gets worse over time)
  • Tightness in the chest

Possible additional symptoms include the following:

  • Nail abnormalities
  • Clubbing of fingers

Signs and tests

When listening to the chest with a stethoscope (auscultation), the doctor may detect a crackling sound.

These tests may help diagnose the disease:

  • Chest x-ray
  • CT scan of the lungs
  • Gallium lung scan
  • Pulmonary function tests

Review Date: 04/24/2009
Reviewed By: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine UMDNJ-NJMS, Attending Physician in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veterans Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)