Asbestosis is a non-cancerous, but serious disease of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos.
Asbestosis often exists without any symptoms and is found only by careful reading of x-rays. The symptoms that do exist typically include shortness of breath and a dry cough, symptoms that are often mistaken to have other causes. A patient with asbestos will regularly breathe more quickly to compensate for the reduced capacity of the lungs. More advanced symptoms may include clubbing of the fingers. As the disease progresses the symptoms can worsen. Asbestosis patients are at greater risk than are persons who have not been exposed to asbestos to develop lung cancer or mesothelioma.
The information provided in this site is general in nature and constitutes neither legal nor medical advice. If you are concerned that you or someone you know is at risk of an asbestos-related disease, please consult your physician and an attorney experienced in asbestos litigation cases.