Mesothelioma Lawyer
About Lung Scarring
People who have been exposed to asbestos for a period of time may have developed lung scarring. In this particular case, this phenomenon is referred to as “asbestosis” since the scarring has developed as a result of the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Individuals who have developed asbestosis do not necessarily have lung cancer, although this condition does have negative impacts on one’s health.
How Does Asbestosis Develop?
When the fine asbestos fibers enter the lungs, they are small enough to reach the alveoli and interact with those tissues. The alveoli of the lungs are the tiny air sacs found at the tips of the bronchioles where oxygen is transferred into the blood stream and carbon dioxide is transferred out back into the lungs. When these sacs have their tissues damaged by asbestos fibers, scar tissue forms. The presence of this new tissue as opposed to the normal alveoli walls makes it very difficult for this vital exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide to occur.
What are the Effects of Lung Scarring?
As mentioned, lung scarring makes it very difficult for the lungs to perform their usual duties of normal gas exchange between the body and the environment. Common symptoms of this type of bodily damage include the following:
- Increasingly severe shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Abnormal breathing noises
- Right-side heart failure
- A blue tint on one’s fingers or lips
- Clubbing on fingertips and toes
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention right away.
Contact Us
If you think you may be suffering from lung scarring and would like to learn more about what you should do about this injury, please contact a mesothelioma lawyer of Williams Kherkher today at 800-781-3955.
