PULMONARY Toxic, Environmental

Question 1

Asbestosis (Pleural Fibrosis)

Answer 1

A chronic lung disease and type of pulmonary fibrosis, or lung scarring, specifically caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Between 1968 and 2000, the number of people who died from asbestosis annually increased from 78 to 1493
Asbestos bodies are rarely identified histologically in plaques. Diffuse pleural fibrosis, as opposed to pleural plaque, represents fibrous thickening of the parietal and/or visceral pleura often associated with dense pleural adhesions
SYMPTOMS:
shortness of breath.
persistent cough.
wheezing.
extreme tiredness (fatigue)
pain in your chest or shoulder.
in more advanced cases, clubbed (swollen) fingertips.
CAUSE: by inhaling asbestos fibers. Prolonged exposure to these fibers can cause lung tissue scarring and shortness of breath. Asbestosis symptoms can range from mild to severe, and usually don’t appear until many years after initial exposure

Question 2

Pneumoconioses

Answer 2

A group of lung diseases caused by the lung’s reaction inhaling certain dusts. The main cause of the pneumoconioses is work-place exposure. Environmental exposures have rarely been related to these diseases. The primary pneumoconioses are: Abestosis – caused by inhaling asbestos fibers
SYMPTOMS: a fever of over 100°F.
wheezing.
shortness of breath.
chest pain.
coughing up blood.
difficulty tolerating physical activity.
CAUSE: breathing in coal dust. Another is brown lung, which comes from working around dust from cotton or other fibers. Other types of dusts that can cause pneumoconiosis include silica and asbestos. Diacetyl, the compound used to give movie popcorn its buttery flavor, also can lead to the disease

Question 3

Psittacosis

Answer 3

An infectious disease usually spread to humans from infected birds in the parrot family. Birds in the parrot family, or psittacines, include parrots, macaws, budgerigars (parakeets or budgies), and cockatiels. Domestic turkeys and pigeons have also infected people. Because birds in the parrot family spread this disease, it is occasionally found in pet store workers, bird owners, zoo employees, and veterinarians. It may also rarely be found in farmers and slaughterhouse workers who process poultry (turkeys, chickens, and ducks), especially turkeys. It is a rare disease in the U.S. with fewer than 10 cases reported per year since 2010. Because of modern laws that regulate the pet bird trade, psittacosis is less common than it used to be.
SYMPTOMS: In humans, the symptoms are fever, headache, chills, muscle pains, cough, and sometimes breathing difficulty or pneumonia. If left untreated, the disease can be severe, and even result in death, especially in older people.
CAUSE: a type of bacteria, called Chlamydia psittaci, that is common in certain types of birds. People exposed to infected birds can get sick, but generally do not spread the bacteria that cause psittacosis to other people.

Question 4

Sarcoidosis

Answer 4

A disease characterized by the growth of tiny collections of inflammatory cells (granulomas) in any part of your body — most commonly the lungs and lymph nodes. But it can also affect the eyes, skin, heart and other organs.
SYMPTOMS: Extreme tiredness.
Fever.
Inflammation of the eyes and pain, burning, blurred vision, and light sensitivity.
Night sweats.
Pain in the joints and bones.
Skin rashes, lumps, and color changes on face, arms, or shins.
Swollen lymph nodes.
Weight loss.
CAUSE: Doctors don’t know the exact cause of sarcoidosis. Some people appear to have a genetic predisposition to develop the disease, which may be triggered by bacteria, viruses, dust or chemicals

Question 5

Silicosis

Answer 5

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.
SYMPTOMS: bronchitis-like symptoms such as persistent cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. People also suffer from weakness, fatigue, fever, night sweats, leg swelling and bluish discoloration of the lips.
CAUSE: 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. Silicosis mainly affects workers exposed to silica dust in jobs such as construction and mining.