For those seeking treatment for this condition, there are three primary types of treatment available: Surgical, Pharmaceutical, and Alternative treatments.
Surgical Treatments:
In order to determine whether a patient’s symptoms are the result of asbestosis and not mesothelioma or another type of cancer, doctors can perform a variety of surgical tests. Among the types of procedures that can be used for diagnosing a patient, there are fine needle aspiration, thoracentesis, and thoracotomy.
Fine needle aspiration involves inserting a hollow needle through the chest and removing the affected area of tissue for sampling.
Thoracentesis involves inserting a needle through the wall of the chest, into the area that is between the chest and lungs. Fluid is this withdrawn from this area to be tested. This method can also be used to help relieve some of the symptoms associated with asbestosis.
Thoracotomy is the more invasive of these procedures. A doctor administers an anesthetic, then opens the chest cavity of the patient in order to remove a sample. Due to the extreme risk associated with major surgeries like this, the vast majority of doctors will not use this procedure for testing but only for treatment.
While these treatments can be used to diagnose and treat the majority of cases, some of the more severe cases require a lung transplant. This is the last option used by doctors, given the extreme risk involved to the patient.
Pharmaceutical Treatments:
Various types of pharmaceuticals can be used in treating the symptoms associated with asbestosis. These include antibiotics, bronchodilators, and painkillers.
Asbestosis patients are highly susceptible to lung infections. Respiratory antibiotics can be used as a preventative measure to avoid infection.
Bronchodilators relax the muscles of the airways, maximizing the air intake of the lungs. This helps to counteract the decrease in lung function that asbestosis patients experience.
Finally, painkillers are used in treating the extreme pain that can develop as a result of this condition. How much pain a patient experiences varies from case to case, and as a result, so do the types of painkillers used to manage the pain.
Alternative Treatments:
Many patients suffering from asbestosis have turned to alternative forms of treatment to relieve their symptoms.
Acupuncture is always a popular choice when turning to less traditional methods of treatment. By inserting needles into the body at a variety of points, acupuncturists are able to provide pain relief for those suffering from a variety of conditions, including asbestosis. Acupuncture has also been shown to make breathing easier on many patients. Coupled with massage therapy, acupuncture can sometimes be as effective as other, more traditional treatments.
Traditional herbal treatments for conditions like asthma can often provide a measure of relief for those with asbestosis. Homeopathic treatments have also been used with varying success.
Before beginning any type of alternative treatment, particularly herbal and homeopathic treatments, patients should check with their doctors in order to avoid any potential dangerous and life threatening drug interactions.
Remember, there is currently no cure for asbestosis. By relieving symptoms, patients suffering from this condition are often able to go about their daily lives with little to no differences. Anyone exposed to asbestos, particularly those already suffering from asbestosis, should leave the area immediately. The only true treatment for this condition is to avoid getting it in the first place.
Sources:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000118.htm
http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/medical_services/pulmonary/old/conditions/asbestosis/signs.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asbestosis/DS00482/DSECTION=1
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=35§ionId=1
