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https://blacklunglaw.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/What_are_the_symptoms_of_Black_Lung_Dise.mp4 There are a number of symptoms of black lung and they vary depending on the progression of the disease. There are cases where people with black lung do not have any noticeable symptoms in the early stages. However these people will generally be more likely to develop respiratory tract infections like bronchitis. The early period of the disease is referred to as asymptomatic anthracosis. Individuals with this condition will develop shortness of breath and chronic coughing over time. Some of the other symptoms at this point will include: Increased production of sputum or mucus Obstruction of the airways Pulmonary hypertension Pain while breathing If the condition is left untreated or there is continued exposure to mine dust it will progress and further complications will come about. This will include the production of black mucus and coughing up of blood. The damage that is done to the lungs will also lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease chronic bronchitis respiratory failure and lung cancer. What Are The Risk Factors? Asbestos fibres have been widely used in fireproofing insulation and textile manufacturing because it is resistant to heat and very durable. A primary component of dust from rock and sand is crystalline silica and certain workers are exposed to this. These workers will include foundry workers stonemasons sandblasters and miners. The risk factors for silicosis will include a high exposure rate to silica as well as a longer exposure time. Lower levels of exposure for a prolonged period of time will often lead to chronic simple silicosis. This results in many small areas of inflammation to form in the lungs and is the most common form of the disease. Coal miners are at an increased risk of inhaling coal dust which contains carbon particles. They could also be exposed to dust containing silica because this mining will drill through silica-containing rock. Workers who have been exposed to graphite dust also have a higher risk of pneumoconiosis similar to CWP. CWP will also have small areas of inflammation in the lungs like silicosis but it has the potential of becoming PMF in some patients. Berylliosis or chronic beryllium disease is another work-related lung condition that is considered to be pneumoconiosis. Beryllium is a lightweight and very strong metal which is commonly used in the nuclear power electronics and aerospace industries. The chronic disease is caused by the inhaling airborne beryllium during the processing of the material. There is some other less common mineral dust which can also cause lung conditions including talc aluminium oxide and cobalt. When You Should See A Doctor If you have had any exposure to silica coal dust asbestos or any other mineral dust and have respiratory symptoms you need to see your doctor. Check here. The post What are the symptoms of black lung? appeared first on Black Lung Law. via Black Lung Law https://blacklunglaw.com.au/2019/05/02/what-are-the-symptoms-of-black-lung/

https://blacklunglaw.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Coal_workers_pneumoconiosis_commonly_ref.mp4 Understanding Black Lung Disease Coal workers pneumoconiosis commonly referred to as Black Lung Disease is caused by the inhalation of carbon-rich coal dust. The body is unable to remove the coal dust from the lungs once it is inhaled. Therefore this coal dust remains in the lungs and builds up over time. Coal workers pneumoconiosis is called black lung because the lungs in a sufferer look black due to the inhalation of coal dust. Those suffering from coal workers pneumoconiosis are at an increased risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and chronic bronchitis. Black Lung is a progressive disease that worsens over time even if the sufferer stops working in the coal industry. A coal miner may not have any symptoms when they are working. However if the coal miner's lung has inhaled a certain amount of coal dust the coal miner's breathing will become worse over time and the coal miner may develop Black Lung Disease. Furthermore coal miner's symptoms may worsen yearly. Black Lung Disease sufferers may not experience symptoms and may not be disabled; however over time the sufferer's symptoms can worsen and lead to becoming disabled. Black Lung Disease is categorized as either simple or complicated. Simple black lung disease occurs when coal dust buildup damages only small areas of the lungs. This is typically diagnosed through a chest x-ray. Most Black Lung Disease sufferers are diagnosed with simple Black Lung Disease. Those with larger areas of damage in the lungs will be diagnosed with complicated Black Lung Disease. Complicated Black Lung Disease is also referred to as Progressive Massive Fibrosis. Black Lung Disease is different from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease emphysema pneumonia or bronchitis. Although cigarette smoking does not increase the risk or progression of Black Lung Disease smoking can damage the lungs even further and can decrease the coal miner's quality of life. How Does Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis Affect the Lungs? As coal dust accumulates in the coal miner's lungs a coal macule could form. A coal macule forms when coal dust combines with macrophages. As Black Lung Disease Progresses a coal macule can cause an abnormality of lung tissue known as a coal nodule. This can lead to fibrosis and emphysema. How Is Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis Diagnosed? Chest x-rays along with a thorough medical and occupational history are used to diagnose coal workers pneumoconiosis. A doctor will use a lung function test to help them determine the amount of damage coal workers pneumoconiosis has caused. Occupational history is a vital part of the diagnosis. If the sufferer has not been exposed to coal dust the sufferer cannot have Black Lung Disease. Occupational history must include all full-time employment part-time employment student jobs summer jobs and the sufferer's military history. Can Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis Be Prevented? Black Lung Disease can be prevented by ensuring the workplace has good ventilation and the dust is properly controlled. How is Black Lung Disease Treated? Although there is not an effective treatment for Black Lung Disease any coal workers pneumoconiosis complications can be treated. Learn more about Black Lung treatment. The post What is black lung disease? appeared first on Black Lung Law. via Black Lung Law https://blacklunglaw.com.au/2019/04/27/what-is-black-lung-disease/

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