Warning Signs That You Are Infected From Asbestos

Perhaps the most important thing humans do every minute is breathe. It’s so simple that we often do it without realizing it. Breathing is natural, makes us feel awesome when we do so deeply, and keeps us alive. But when breathing starts to become ragged and chest pain is an everyday occurrence, the precious breaths we take become the only thing we can think of. This process can occur when asbestos gets into the mix. There are common signs indicating an individual is infected with asbestos.

What Is Asbestos Exposure?

Exposure to asbestos can cause chronic lung diseases that result from asbestos fibers adhering to lung tissue, scarring the lung, ultimately making breathing much more painful and difficult. Individuals at a greater risk of being exposed to asbestos to such an extent to cause lasting conditions are those who have worked in construction and installation type jobs, such as mining, milling, or engineering. Individuals who smoke also expedite the process because smoke further aggravates the lungs. It is important to remember these symptoms will appear and become a real problem a couple of decades past initial exposure. Most cases of this disease are in middle-aged patients.

Clubbing Of The Fingers And Toes

The hands can tell a story about an individual’s health, particularly the nails. Several studies have linked nail and finger abnormalities with a variety of lung and heart diseases. Clubbing of the hands occurs when the tissue beneath the fingernails thicken and harden, causing the nails to round out and protrude in a bulbous fashion. This is due to the lungs delivering insufficient oxygen to the blood, and a lack of oxygen reaching the hands and feet. If the nail looks abnormal or appears unfamiliar, as in it is not a hereditary trait, individuals are encouraged to seek out medical assistance, as the nails on the hands and feet can determine moderate to severe health implications, such as the development of a condition from asbestos exposure.