What are symptoms of silicosis?

These commonly include bronchitis-like symptoms such as persistent cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. People also suffer from weakness, fatigue, fever, night sweats, leg swelling and bluish discoloration of the lips.

Can you survive silicosis?

Silicosis IS NOT CURABLE, but it IS PREVENTABLE—to live a long and healthy life, learn the facts and know how to protect yourself and your family.

How do you get silica in your lungs?

But, when silica is cut, drilled or ground, tiny particles enter the air. These particles are so small they can be inhaled. Once inhaled, silica particles get stuck in the lungs, causing scarring and fluid build-up, making it hard to breathe.

Is there a cure for silicosis?

There is no cure for silicosis and once the damage is done it cannot be reversed. Treatment is focused on slowing down the progression of the disease and relieving symptoms. Avoiding further exposure to silica and other irritants such as cigarette smoke is crucial.

How long do you live with silicosis?

The survival times of silicosis stage I , II and III, from the year of diagnosis to death, were 21.5, 15.8 and 6.8 years, respectively. There was 25 \% of the silicosis patients whose survival time was beyond 33 y. The mean death age of all silicosis cases was 56.0 y.

How long do people live with silicosis?

Is it easy to get silicosis?

Silicosis usually develops after being exposed to silica for 10-20 years, although it can sometimes develop after 5-10 years of exposure. Occasionally, it can occur after only a few months of very heavy exposure.

What type of lung disease is silicosis?

Silicosis is a type of pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, a common mineral found in sand, quartz and many other types of rock. Silicosis mainly affects workers exposed to silica dust in jobs such as construction and mining.

What happens when you get silicosis?

Silicosis is your body’s reaction to silica dust buildup in your lungs. When you breathe in silica, the tiny particles of dust settle deeply into your breathing passages. Scar patches form on your lung tissue. Scarring stiffens and damages your lungs, and this makes it hard to breathe.

What is silicosis and how is it caused?

Silicosis is a long-term lung disease caused by inhaling unsafe levels of silica dust, usually over a period of many years. People who work with certain materials may inhale a very fine dust that contains silica.

How do you know if you have silicosis?

Any person who works in industries with exposure to silica dust should get regular health checkups and be monitored for signs and symptoms of lung disease, even if they are not experiencing any symptoms. There is no specific test for silicosis, so it may take multiple doctor’s visits and tests to diagnose.

Who is at risk of silicosis?

People who make and install engineered stone products are among those at increased risk of silicosis. Silicosis is a group of occupational lung diseases caused by breathing in silica dust. It has been described since ancient times, when miners and stonecutters were exposed to dust containing this crystalline mineral.

How long does it take for silicosis to develop?

Any level of silica exposure can result in silicosis. There are three types of silicosis: Acute silicosis forms a few weeks or months after high levels of silica exposure. This condition progresses rapidly. Accelerated silicosis comes on five to 10 years after exposure. Chronic silicosis occurs 10 years or more after silica exposure.