Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List
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Treatment of Asbestosis
It is not possible to reverse or cure asbestosis, although if caught early enough the worsening of the condition can usually be slowed or even stopped.
The speed at which the condition progresses depends on several factors, such as how much asbestos has been breathed in, whether the disease has occurred very soon after exposure, whether there are other symptoms such as clubbing, and if the person smokes.
The main treatment used in asbestosis is oxygen therapy, to try to increase the flow of oxygen into the body and counteract the effects of breathlessness.
Corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs may be used to try to relieve symptoms. A procedure called thoracentesis, which involves draining fluid from the lungs, may make breathing earlier. Lung transplantation is not extensively used but it has occasionally had success in treating asbestosis.
Stopping smoking can help to slow the progress of the condition and help to reduce the chances of lung cancer. People with asbestosis are particularly vulnerable to chest infections, so they should have the flu and pneumococcal vaccinations.
