Oct
31
Pleural Mesothelioma
October 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Pleural mesothelioma makes up over 60 percent of all
mesothelioma cases worldwide. It is often talked about
in the media and has garnered worldwide attention in
the past few decades. This particular type affects the
outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity which is
known as the pleura.
The pleura is composed of two distinct parts which are
the parietal and visceral pleura. The parietal pleura
is the lining on the wall of the chest and the
diaphragm and the visceral pleura is the inner lining
of the lungs themselves.
Asbestos is very fibrous and these tiny fibers can get
into even the tiniest passages in the lungs. Once it?s
in there, it has a reaction with cell development that
isn?t quite understood but the cells begin to divide
in an unusual manner.
This can lead to pleural thickening which greatly
decreases the capacity of the lungs and can accumulate
fluid as well. This can be seen in X-rays pretty
easily. CT scans and MRIs also can detect any
abnormalities in the lungs.
Smoking can cause long term symptoms similar to
pleural mesothelioma so it can be difficult to
diagnose. The best way is to tell your doctor if you
have ever been around anyone who worked with asbestos
or if a building you frequent has been shown to have a
lot of asbestos in it. Many lawsuits are filed every
year and you may even be entitled to free medical care
or compensation if you meet certain requirements.
Oct
28
Mesothelioma Support
October 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Mesothelioma can be devastating news for a person even
if they suspected it might develop sometime in their
life. Maybe they worked at a diner that catered to
asbestos miners, or maybe they were miners themselves.
Either way, they have been exposed and know the
chances are high of getting this type of cancer. It is
not just hard on the person who has it but their
entire network of family and friends. There are many
places to get support from others who have
mesothelioma or have had experience with it.
Many towns have cancer support groups that meet on a
weekly basis to share their experiences and offer hope
to others. This is a great way to reach out and get
the support you need from others in the same
situation.
Family members are often encouraged to attend so they
can express their feelings as well. Though often
skipped, this is a very useful tool and the people who
attend these meetings often know specialists in the
field and can offer great advice.
Mesothelioma websites and message boards are also a
great option. If you feel fatigued and don?t want to
leave the house, this the place to go. You can join
forums, get information, and find out all the latest
news you need to know on the Internet.
Smaller towns may not have an ?in-person? option when
it comes to support groups and the Internet is full of
sites dedicated to just what you are looking for. You
can also find a ton of information about lawyers if
needed.
Oct
25
Mesothelioma
October 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Mesothelioma is a specific type of cancer that is
directly related to asbestos. Mesothelioma develops in
the mesothelium which is the lining that encapsules
many of the body?s organs but is the most common in
the lungs and chest cavity.
Mesothelioma is hard to detect because you may not
have symptoms for many decades after you are exposed
to asbestos. Some of the common symptoms are shortness
of breath, fluid surrounding the lungs, fatigue, and a
harsh cough that may have blood in it.
Mesothelioma also has symptoms similar to a myriad of
other conditions such as Tuberculosis and other types
of lung cancer. The only way to be sure is to have
X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs performed.
Luckily, the odds of developing mesothelioma now are
pretty rare as measures are being taken by most
federal and state programs that make sure asbestos
isn?t used in common building materials and older
buildings are being thoroughly checked and rebuilt if
necessary. Asbestos commonly was wrapped around water
pipes in old buildings and used in ceilings.
Though it is naturally occurring, asbestos is
relatively hard to just stumble upon. It was used in
concrete, brake pads, and in many different fire-proof
materials for a very long time.
Miners and their families developed mesothelioma by
working in the mines, washing miner?s clothing, and
having a lot of it in their environment. In 1989, a
full ban on asbestos was issued by the Environmental
Protection Agency and work began to stop producing
materials that used it.
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