General Information About Pneumoconiosis
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is an 'occupational' lung disease where microscopic particles of environmental or industrial dusts descend into the deepest parts of the lungs, accumulating there and causing the lung to become stony with scar tissue (fibrosis).
It is seen in coal miners (Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis), denim sandblasters, pottery/glass workers (Silicosis), and ship, insulation, or old roofing/brake workers (Asbestosis).
Immune cells called macrophages try to eat the dust entering the lungs, but because the dust cannot be digested, it shreds the cells. The destroyed cells secrete inflammatory substances, turning the flexible lung tissue rigid (fibrotic).
The disease insidiously appears 10-20 years after starting work in a dusty environment. Symptoms include an increasingly severe dry cough, shortness of breath (dyspnea) when climbing stairs, and in advanced stages, chest pain.
The individual's occupational history is highly critical. A High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) of the chest reveals nodules/opacities created by the dust in the lungs, and a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) identifies the decrease in lung capacity.
There is no medical drug that can clean the dust stuck to the lung or revert the formed scar tissue to its former flexible state. The most important treatment is immediate removal from the dust. To relieve symptoms, bronchodilator inhalers and continuous home oxygen therapy support are provided.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
