Pleural plaques are a form of scarring to the walls of the lungs. This is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers and dust. In the past, asbestos was widely used in manufacturing, fireproofing and insulation industries.
The actual problems started with the removal, installation and repair of these products. When this is done the disturbance to the material caused dust and fibers to be released into the air. These were then inhaled by the workers. Additionally, the dust would settle on their clothes and this would then allow their families to inhale the dust.
One of the most common diseases which are linked to asbestos is pleural plaques. This problem will generally start to develop in people 20 to 40 years after the time they were exposed to asbestos. It is important to know that this can occur even if the exposure was limited. This diseases is generally the one most people who have been exposed will have.
Fibrous tissue deposits will be caused in the chest cavity. The membrane that lines the wall of the chest is where the pleura will be. Other places where this can develop include the lining of the abdominal wall and the diaphragm.
When the fibers deposit themselves on the outer lining of the lung they will cause chronic inflammation. Scarred tissue will be caused by the inflammation. The plaques will form the scarred tissue.
Pleural plaques do not cause any symptoms. It is possible to suffer from this disease and not show any signs of illness, like shortness of breath. The disease will only be detected if the individual is required to undergo x-rays for another condition, like chest pain or pneumonia. It will be necessary for the individual to undergo a CT scan to enable accurate diagnosis of the condition. Upon diagnosis, it will not be necessary to undergo any form of treatment. It is recommended that regular medical check-ups are undergone to ensure that the condition has not developed into a more serious asbestos-related disease.
The actual problems started with the removal, installation and repair of these products. When this is done the disturbance to the material caused dust and fibers to be released into the air. These were then inhaled by the workers. Additionally, the dust would settle on their clothes and this would then allow their families to inhale the dust.
One of the most common diseases which are linked to asbestos is pleural plaques. This problem will generally start to develop in people 20 to 40 years after the time they were exposed to asbestos. It is important to know that this can occur even if the exposure was limited. This diseases is generally the one most people who have been exposed will have.
Fibrous tissue deposits will be caused in the chest cavity. The membrane that lines the wall of the chest is where the pleura will be. Other places where this can develop include the lining of the abdominal wall and the diaphragm.
When the fibers deposit themselves on the outer lining of the lung they will cause chronic inflammation. Scarred tissue will be caused by the inflammation. The plaques will form the scarred tissue.
Pleural plaques do not cause any symptoms. It is possible to suffer from this disease and not show any signs of illness, like shortness of breath. The disease will only be detected if the individual is required to undergo x-rays for another condition, like chest pain or pneumonia. It will be necessary for the individual to undergo a CT scan to enable accurate diagnosis of the condition. Upon diagnosis, it will not be necessary to undergo any form of treatment. It is recommended that regular medical check-ups are undergone to ensure that the condition has not developed into a more serious asbestos-related disease.
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