How to Prevent Mesothelioma

by Faithe Thomas

Preventing a disease from spreading to other parts of the body and to other people starts with knowing its cause(s). In dealing with problems, physical or emotional, it is important that we deal with the root causes of the problem and not the symptoms of the problem. Most diseases that have killed many people could have been prevented to a certain extent if only the causes were found out from the very beginning. This is the case with Mesothelioma, a disease that is acquired through respiratory contact with the element asbestos. If your job includes inevitable exposure to such element, a good suggestion would be to visit a physician that could assess how this work hazard has affected your existing health condition.

Mesothelioma is type of cancer that starts as malignant cells that develop in the mesothelium, which is a protective covering over most of our body's internal organs. Since inhalation is the quickest way for asbestos to intrude into your system, most of the time, Mesothelioma develops in the lungs' outer lining and chest activity. It is also common in the peritoneum or the lining of the stomach walls and the pericardium which is the protective sac around the heart. There are many ways in which a person comes into contact with asbestos, which is the culprit responsible for this ailment. Aside from being exposed on the job, a person could also get it other ways, such as washing the laundry of a family member whose working environment involves asbestos contact or from asbestos cement products during a home renovation. It is very important to read the ingredients in the paint and hardware products we buy.

When inhaled, asbestos could cause shortness of breath, chest pains, and frequent coughs oftentimes caused by fluid accumulation in the pleural regions. If Mesothelioma has entered the stomach walls, it results in weight loss and cachexia, swelling in the abdomen, and stomach pains. Sometimes, it also results in blood clotting abnormalities, fever, bowel movement difficulty and even anemia. If the cancer has crept from the stomach to other parts of the body, its symptoms could also include difficulty in swallowing or pain and swelling on the neck or face. When the person has started to develop tumor masses, the situation gets even worse. Lung collapses or pneumothorax is likely when symptoms are ignored or left unchecked. Sadly, these symptoms appear 20 to even up to 50 years after the exposure to asbestos dust or fibers?

Prevention is the best solution in this case. It all begins with avoiding asbestos contact. Although the disease may be rare these days, in the United States, apartment buildings are often the site of asbestos use, particularly those condemned properties built before 1989. Talk to an expert who could help you examine your home or workplace for possible contact and even saturation to asbestos. They could also suggest ways for you to remove any asbestos particle present. Remember that removing it yourself is dangerous. There are people with the training for that, so it's better to leave it to the experts.

Also, take note that asbestos can be transferred from one place to another through clothing and the skin. Anyone who works near asbestos must, therefore, be reminded about this. If it is possible, don't live with someone who has high asbestos exposure. You must know that it only takes tiny strands of asbestos fibers to cause Mesothelioma. In addition, people 65 years old and above are more likely to develop this disease (because of exposure before asbestos was banned). It is better that such precautions are taken instead of risking one's health and spending more on something you could prevent.

Author:
Faithe Thomas has prepared a website to help people find info on asbestos-related illness and possible litigation. Please see http://www.asbestos-litigation.net/