Asbestos exposure can cause serious and lingering health issues that vary in severity. Although it was once commonly used in constructing buildings as insulation and is still present in older homes today, this substance is no longer used due to its hazardous nature. Consulting both a doctor and scheduling a home inspection in Calgary if you think asbestos exposure is present in your place of residence can help reduce your chances of developing chronic health issues.
Because of the threat of lung scarring conditions caused by asbestos, knowing what steps you should take in case of asbestos exposure is important.
Consult healthcare professionals
If you think you have been exposed to asbestos, you should consult your healthcare provider. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one-time or brief exposure to asbestos is usually nothing to worry about. If you feel any effects from short-term exposure, they should subside after a short period of time. Consult a doctor to get examined where medical experts can determine your risks of developing asbestos-related health issues to relieve any worry. Having been exposed to asbestos, even only briefly, you should wash your body and your clothes to further eliminate any threat.
Unknowingly being exposed to asbestos for long periods of time can be more cause for concern. While lung issues typically won’t materialize for 5-10 years after long-term exposure, you should still seek a doctor to monitor your symptoms.
Home Inspection
Since asbestos exposure can often occur in your own home, you should get your home inspected by professionals. Home inspection professionals will assess the asbestos condition in your home, advise you on what action you need to undertake, and will contain the exposure for you. It is highly advisable to let professionals handle this substance to minimize your exposure.
Symptoms
Asbestos exposure can eventually manifest into lung conditions where symptoms are often shortness of breath, chest pain, and a perpetual cough. Coughing up blood and weight loss can be linked to asbestos-related diseases that can become quite severe, like mesothelioma and lung cancer. If you have any lung-related symptoms, you should seek medical help as soon as possible.
Treatment
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to reverse any damage done by asbestos exposure. While there are no known cures to eradicate lung scarring caused by asbestos, treatments are available to reduce symptoms and minimize any potential disease from progressing. Treatments like oxygen therapy can help you breathe more easily, and hazardous habits that can worsen your lung health, like cigarette smoking or vaping, should be stopped immediately.
Radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy will be recommended for severe lung conditions.
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