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/