Washington Mesothelioma Lawyers - Asbestos Exposure

Many diseases that attack and damage the lungs and respiratory system tend to remain a mystery to the medical science world in terms of how to treat, cure and prevent them. Perhaps the worst aspect of this reality is that lung and respiratory diseases can also be the most painful and stressful types of health conditions to experience, as the mere function of breathing should not be a struggle.

One of those diseases that continues to mystify the medical world is mesothelioma. There are only a few facts that have been attached to this disease, and they concern how it's contracted and what the prognosis is for anyone who faces a battle against it. Below is an overview of mesothelioma, and you'll find information regarding how it attacks the body, the common symptoms, how it's contracted, examples of at-risk behaviors and how you can take action to hold those responsible for your condition accountable.

How Mesothelioma Attacks the Body

Mesothelioma attacks the body after a person inhales and/or is generally exposed to the fibers that comprise the compound that is asbestos. Specifically, these fibers penetrate the respiratory system and other areas of the body. These fibers attach to the protective linings of the lungs and sometimes the liver and heart. As these fibers attach to these linings, they begin to grow much like any other form of cancer. Eventually, these tumors expand to the point where breathing becomes nearly impossible and the patient suffers from lung cancer-like symptoms and a similar physical decline.

There are three different forms of mesothelioma:
  • Pleural mesothelioma - This form of the disease constitutes approximately ¾ of all mesothelioma diagnoses, and this specific condition features a buildup of fluid between the protective lining of the lungs and the chest wall.

  • Peritoneal mesothelioma - This form of mesothelioma is statistically rare relative to pleural mesothelioma, and it occurs when the asbestos fibers penetrate the digestive tract and growing into tumors much like the other forms of the disease.

  • Pericardial mesothelioma - As the term suggests, pericardial mesothelioma attacks the heart. It is the most statistically rare form of the disease, and it tends to lead to serious heart problems and circulatory issues even before it spreads to other parts of the body.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

When viewing the disease as a whole, there are two issues associated with mesothelioma that tend to create the highest degree of concern. These issues are the time it can take for mesothelioma to appear in the body - some cases have taken as long as 50 years from the date of exposure to asbestos - and the fact that the common symptoms associated with mesothelioma tend to look much like other, much less serious diseases such as a common cold, a respiratory infection or pneumonia. When these confusing symptoms combine with the fact that many patients do not realize that exposure to asbestos decades earlier could be the issue, it can be very difficult to diagnose this disease accurately.
Below are common symptoms of mesothelioma:

Pleural Mesothelioma

  • Persistent dry or raspy cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Night sweats
  • Painful breathing
  • Coughing up blood
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Fever
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Persistent pain in the chest
  • The appearance of lumps under the skin on the chest

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

  • Night sweats
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Fever
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Swelling or pain in the abdomen
  • Anemia
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Pericardial Mesothelioma

  • Heart palpitations
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fever
  • Night sweats
  • Fatigue

How Mesothelioma is Contracted

Mesothelioma is one of the few diseases in existence where the cause has been definitively identified - exposure to asbestos. While the prevalence of asbestos exposure has gone down in recent years after regulations all but removed it from common use, those who have spent time in the following occupations tend to be the most at-risk for the ultimate development of this disease:
  • Shipyard workers
  • Electricians
  • Plumbers
  • Miners
  • Steel workers
  • Construction workers
  • Auto mechanics
Of course, there are other ways to be exposed to the disease, as even family members of workers like those mentioned above have been diagnosed with mesothelioma simply by inhaling the fibers that the workers carried home on their cloths.

Washington Mesothelioma Attorney

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos, you need to take legal action. Contact the asbestos attorneys at Phillips Webster today to schedule a free initial consultation, as those responsible for your exposure should be held accountable for your resulting health condition.
 



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