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Asbestosis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Pulmonary fibrosis - from asbestos exposure; Interstitial pneumonitis - from asbestos exposure

Symptoms:

Chest pain
Cough
Shortness of breath on exertion (slowly gets worse over time)
Tightness in the chest

Possible additional symptoms include the following:

Nail abnormalities
Clubbing of fingers

Signs and tests:

When listening to the chest with a stethoscope (auscultation), the doctor may detect a crackling sound.

These tests may help diagnose the disease:

Respiratory system

Reviewed last on: 4/24/2009
Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine UMDNJ-NJMS, Attending Physician in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veterans Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Cowie RL, Murray J, Becklake MR. Pneumoconioses. In: Mason RJ, Murray JF, Broaddus VC, Nadel JA, eds. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa : Saunders Elsevier; 2005: chap 61.

Glazer CS, Newman LS. Occupational interstitial lung disease. Chest. September 2004;25:467-478.

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