Silicosis – Symptoms, Causes and Treatments!

Also those in which the work involves the use of sandblasting, the construction of tunnels and the manufacture of abrasive soaps, which require high amounts of silica dust, for example.

This is the oldest known condition, developed by individuals who have inhaled silica dust for a long period of time, constituting a serious public health problem. Silica dust is the main constituent of sand, and thus exposure is frequent among metal miners, sandstone and granite cutters, as well as foundries and potters.

Silicosis is caused by the usually chronic inhalation of silica particles and takes a few years to manifest symptoms, which are, however, unavoidable unless inhalation is stopped early.

At first, small scar areas may appear in the lungs, which are known as simple nodular silicosis , which later progress to more extensive areas of pulmonary fibrosis .

Silicosis Has Three Types:  Silicosis can have three different forms:

Chronic silicosis: Also known as simple nodular silicosis , it is the most common type of the disease. It occurs a long time after the onset of exposure (10 to 20 years) in relatively low dust levels. Patients are usually asymptomatic or present with symptoms that are usually preceded by radiological changes.

Dyspnea (shortness of breath) due to exertion is the main symptom and physical examination, in most cases, does not show significant changes in the respiratory system.

Accelerated silicosis: This type of silicosis , also known as subacute, is characterized by presenting earlier radiological changes, five to ten years after the onset of exposure.

The nodules are similar to the chronic form of the disease, but there is also tissue inflammation and cellular desquamation in the lung alveoli . Symptoms, such as shortness of breath, often limit the patient’s activities. This type is more likely to progress to more serious and complicated forms of the disease.

Acute Silicosis: It is the rarest form of the disease, which is associated with constant exposure to free silica for periods ranging from a few months to five years. It is common in jobs that involve sand blasting or stone grinding.

The radiological pattern is quite different from the other forms, being represented by diffuse alveolar infiltrations and sometimes accompanied by ill-defined nodulations. It is potentially dangerous and can progress to respiratory failure and death. Symptoms involve the entire body, and there is also a lot of dry cough .

Symptoms of Silicosis: Silicosis is a progressive condition, meaning the symptoms intensify over time. Among the symptoms are:

Decreased Ability to Breathe:

• Feeling of Weakness;
• An intense cough ;
• Chest pains ;
• night sweats;
• Unintentional weight loss ;

In addition to increasing the risks for contracting respiratory infections such as tuberculosis :

Treatment For Silicosis:  There is no specific treatment for silicosis , so the goal in this case is to lessen the symptoms.

It is also important that people diagnosed with silicosis avoid any contact with silica dust and that, if they smoke, they stop smoking. In addition, as they are in the risk group for contracting tuberculosis, it is important that the patient is tested for this disease regularly.

This disease has no cure. However, it is possible to prevent the progression of the disease by interrupting exposure to silica dust from the onset of the first symptoms.

Individuals who have difficulty breathing may get relief from treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (drugs that dilate the bronchi and clear secretions from the airways). Since patients with silicosis are more susceptible to infection with tuberculosis bacteria , they should undergo periodic medical check-ups.