Asbestosis Vs Pleural Plaques

While we now know that asbestos is a carcinogenic material that can cause a variety of different diseases in our bodies, it was once extremely popular and used in everything from vinyl flooring to ceiling tiles in our houses and even brake pads on our cars. Because it can take years for asbestos-related disorders to manifest themselves, things like asbestosis and pleural plaques may now just diagnosed in someone even though asbestos was banned starting in the late 1980s.

Asbestosis and pleural plaques are similar disorders almost solely caused by exposure to asbestos. There are two reasons why asbestos is so bad for our bodies. First, it is a carcinogen, which means it can mutate our DNA so that cells grow and divide rapidly, building into malignant tumors. Also, it cannot be degraded by our bodies. This means that it can become lodged in our tissues from inhalation or ingestion and can remain there forever. Typically, our bodies must create special nodules of tissues surrounding the fibers so that they do not irritate the rest of our system.

Both asbestosis and pleural plaques are characterized by scarring of the lungs due to asbestos fibers lodged in the tissue. The formation of pleural plaques is actually the most common health problem resulting from asbestos exposure because the scarring can be caused even by a short and intermittent exposure to asbestos. Asbestosis tends to result from heavy, long-term exposure to asbestos.

Pleural plaque formation is typically a harmless problem. The asbestos fibers in the lungs cause the formation of fibrosis collagen deposits that appear as white and smooth areas in and around the lungs. These deposits can also become calcified. They are usually detected on a chest x-ray that is performed for a different reason than to check for plaques.

Asbestosis is more severe than the buildup of plaques. The scarring that occurs because of asbestos exposure actually stiffens the lung tissue itself. This prevents it from flexing to expand and contract so that you can breathe normally. Thus, asbestosis is typically discovered when a person has breathing problems. It can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain. In extreme cases, it can cause finger clubbing.

While pleural plaques are not inherently dangerous, they can signify that you are at risk for developing lung cancer or mesothelioma. On the other hand, asbestosis can cause serious complications such as pulmonary hypertension, heart problems, and cancer also.

Because asbestos exposure is so dangerous and can cause pleural plaques, asbestosis, as well as other dangerous illnesses, it's no surprise that asbestos is now illegal. However, if you or someone you know has developed an asbestos-related disease, you should speak to a lawyer about your rights.

For more information, talk to a Williams Kherkher asbestos attorney today.