There is no specific treatment for silicosis. Removing the source of silica exposure is important to prevent the disease from getting worse. Supportive treatment includes cough medicine, bronchodilators, and oxygen if needed. Antibiotics are prescribed for respiratory infections as needed.
Full Answer
Which medications are used in the treatment of silicosis?
Immunize patients against influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia. No specific therapy for silicosis cures or alters the course of the disease. Corticosteroids may be of benefit in acute silicosis.In chronic silicosis, they are unlikely to be of benefit, although pulmonary function improvement was noted in one study.
What should I do if I have silicosis?
Avoiding further exposure to silica and other irritants such as cigarette smoke is crucial. Testing for tuberculosis is important because the disease tends to be more severe in persons with silicosis. Once your doctor determines the degree of lung damage that has been done, they will be able to provide you with a treatment plan.
What diseases are caused by silicosis?
Silicosis also raises your odds of getting these serious lung diseases: Lung cancer. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Chronic bronchitis. Scleroderma. Tuberculosis.
What are the different types of silica exposure?
There are three types: Acute: Symptoms happen a few weeks up to 2 years after exposure to a large amount of silica. Chronic: Problems may not show up until decades after you’re exposed to low or moderate amounts of silica. Accelerated : You’ll notice signs about 5 to 10 years after heavy exposure to silica.
What is the treatment for silicosis?
There is no specific treatment for silicosis. Removing the source of silica exposure is important to prevent the disease from getting worse. Supportive treatment includes cough medicine, bronchodilators, and oxygen if needed. Antibiotics are prescribed for respiratory infections as needed.
Which type of silicosis is the most common form?
Overview. Simple chronic silicosis, the most common type of silicosis, results from long-term exposure (usually more than 20 years) to low amounts of silica dust. Simple chronic silicosis may cause people to have difficulty breathing.
What is silicosis mean?
Silicosis is a long-term lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of crystalline silica dust, usually over many years. Silica is a substance naturally found in certain types of stone, rock, sand and clay. Working with these materials can create a very fine dust that can be easily inhaled.
Where is silicosis most common?
Silicosis is a lung disease. It usually happens in jobs where you breathe in dust that contains silica. That's a tiny crystal found in sand, rock, or mineral ores like quartz.
What classification is silicosis?
Silicosis is classified as either simple chronic, complicated chronic, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, accelerated silicosis, or acute silicosis.
What are the 3 types of silicosis?
There are three major types of silicosis: acute, chronic, and accelerated. Acute Silicosis occurs after a few months or as long as 2 years after exposures to extremely high concentrations. Signs and symptoms of acute silicosis include shortness of breath, weakness, fever, cough, and weight loss.
What is the other name for silicosis?
SilicosisOther namesMiner's phthisis, Grinder's asthma, Potter's rot pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosisFine silica dustSpecialtyPulmonology1 more row
How is silicosis diagnosed?
There is no specific test for silicosis, so it may take multiple doctor's visits and tests to diagnose. During the visit, your doctor will ask about your breathing, both at rest and during exercise. Your doctor will also ask about your job history in detail to determine the likelihood of silica exposure.
Is silicosis obstructive or restrictive?
Neurological Restrictive Lung Diseases In addition, some diseases, such as silicosis, cause an obstructive pattern in the early stages of the disease and a restrictive pattern when the condition is more advanced.
What type of lung disease is silicosis?
Silicosis is a type of pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, a common mineral found in sand, quartz and many other types of rock. Silicosis mainly affects workers exposed to silica dust in jobs such as construction and mining.
What products contain silica?
Materials like sand, stone, concrete, and mortar contain crystalline silica. It is also used to make products such as glass, pottery, ceramics, bricks, and artificial stone.
How do you treat dust inhalation?
Decongestants and antihistamines are the most common allergy medications. They help to reduce a stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing and itching. Other medications work by preventing the release of the chemicals that cause allergic reactions. Corticosteroid sprays are effective in treating inflammation in your nose.
How to treat a lung infection?
Once your doctor determines the degree of lung damage that has been done, they will be able to provide you with a treatment plan. This may include: 1 Using a bronchodilator to help relax your air tubes and decrease inflammation. 2 Quitting smoking as soon as possible. Smoking can increase the damage done by silica and speed up the progression of the disease. The American Lung Association offers proven-effective smoking cessation programs to give people trying to quit the support they need. 3 Supplemental oxygen may be prescribed to help you get more air into your lungs when needed. Though you may need it only while exercising at the beginning, as the disease progresses you may need it at all times. Learn more about oxygen therapy. 4 Pulmonary rehabilitation is an exercise program designed to help all patients with chronic lung conditions maintain optimal activity levels. 5 In very severe situations, your doctor may suggest surgery and refer you to a lung transplant specialist.
Can you quit smoking if you have silica?
Quitting smoking as soon as possible. Smoking can increase the damage done by silica and speed up the progression of the disease. The American Lung Association offers proven-effective smoking cessation programs to give people trying to quit the support they need.
Is there a cure for silicosis?
There is no cure for silicosis and once the damage is done it cannot be reversed. Treatment is focused on slowing down the progression of the disease and relieving symptoms. Avoiding further exposure to silica and other irritants such as cigarette smoke is crucial. Testing for tuberculosis is important because the disease tends to be more severe in ...
Can silica be used to treat silicosis?
Managing Silicosis. To keep the disease from getting worse, all silicosis patients need to eliminate any more exposure to silica. Other lung irritants, such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, allergens and smoke, should also be avoided.
Why is exposure control important in preventing silicosis?
Primary prevention of silicosis through exposure control is important, because no effective medical treatment exists for this disease, which continues to progress even after a person is removed from further exposure. To achieve this, a sustained effort must be made to increase awareness of silicosis.
What is OSHA and NIOSH?
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and NIOSH offer general guidance on respiratory protection as well as provide information on standards for respiratory protection. [ 59] . Specific respiratory protection recommendations are summarized below.
How to ensure dusty clothes do not contaminate cars, homes, or worksites outside the dusty area?
Take the following steps to assure that dusty clothes do not contaminate cars, homes, or worksites outside the dusty area: Change into disposable or washable work clothes at the worksite. Shower and change into clean clothes before leaving the worksite. Do not eat, drink, or use tobacco products in dusty areas.
Is lung transplantation the only treatment for silicosis?
Lung transplantation remains the only treatment option for end-stage silicosis. However, based on available data, patients with silicosis who underwent lung transplantation (4.9%) showed a nonstatistically significant survival advantage (hazard ratio: 0.6) compared to those undergoing lthe procedure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
Who Gets Silicosis?
Most people get silicosis because they’re exposed to silica dust at work. Jobs in these fields may put you at higher risk:
What Causes Silicosis?
Silicosis is your body’s reaction to silica dust buildup in your lungs.
Are There Complications?
If you have chronic silicosis, you’re at higher risk for TB, flu, and pneumonia. Get regular TB tests at your doctor’s office, plus an annual flu shot and pneumonia vaccine.
How Is Silicosis Treated?
There’s no cure for silicosis right now. Treatments can help you manage your symptoms.