People are now much more clued up on their health and well-being than ever before. From knowing the right diet to eat to looking out for warning signs of certain diseases, there’s a much bigger focus on prevention and early diagnosis. However, when it comes to asbestos exposure, you must be much more careful and know what to look out for. Before it was a banned and controlled substance, asbestos was everywhere, exposing many people to it. Now the health risks are understood, and those who have been exposed to asbestos should be acutely aware of the risks they face with their health.
Pain around your chest
Now, this might sound like an obvious one. If you’re experiencing pain in your chest, you should call the emergency services if you think you’re having a heart attack. However, not all chest pain is related to a heart attack. Pain in your chest is one of many mesothelioma symptoms, and shouldn’t be ignored – especially if you’ve had asbestos exposure. Likewise, mesothelioma can appear through symptoms like constant coughing, pain in the abdomen and back, shortness of breath and heart palpitations.
Shortness of breath
Not only is this a symptom of mesothelioma, but a shortness of breath can also be linked to lung cancer and other asbestosis diseases. So, if you struggle to get your breath back, and find it hard to exercise, then speak to your doctor. When shortness of breath appears in someone with asbestos exposure, it can become a very serious matter. If you’re suffering from this and smoke cigarettes, you should try to stop as soon as possible. It won’t alleviate your current situation and can make any underlying causes – such as cancer – much worse.
Difficulty swallowing
If you find it difficult to swallow, then you need to get to a doctor. This is another common symptom of asbestos exposure, and if it prevents you from eating properly, it can make you very ill. In addition to finding it hard to swallow, you might also struggle with face or neck swelling, and coughing up blood. If these symptoms appear, then you shouldn’t hesitate in getting a medical appointment.
What do with these symptoms?
If you go to see a doctor, you’ll be put through a series of intensive tests and scans. From x-rays and MRIs to lung function tests, you’ll be thoroughly examined until a cause is found. When you go for an appointment, it’s useful to bring some information about your exposure to asbestos. Try to include how much you were exposed to and for how long, the source of it, and any other background information, like previous lung illnesses, how much alcohol you drink, and whether you smoke.
If you’re worried about your current role, and whether you’re being exposed to asbestos unsafely, you should discuss with your employer. If you work in some industries, such as construction, mechanics, and manufacturing, it might be inevitable that you’ll come into contact with it. However, there are strict regulations around how you should be protected, and your employers must follow these procedures.