What are the symptoms of silicosis

Silicosis sick people in ancient times. This is evidenced by found in the study of Egyptian mummies changes in the lungs, possibly caused the death. For a long time identified with silicosis tuberculosis Tuberculosis - a full recovery is not guaranteed It is calling him consumptive masons, and only at the end of the 19th century begins to form an idea of ​​silicosis as an independent disease.

Stonecutters consumption and its causes

Silicosis or consumption stonecutters - a lung disease that develops through inhalation of dust containing free silica. Silicosis is the most common and severe form of pneumoconiosis (disease associated with exposure to dust on the airways), and almost always is an occupational disease. Silicosis developing the workers of mining and engineering industries, the production of refractory materials, grinding sand, tunneling, granite processing.

In nature, silicon dioxide is more common in the three crystalline varieties: in the form of quartz, tridymite and cristobalite. Typically, silicosis occurs by inhalation of silica dust. The incidence of silicosis is directly dependent on the amount of dust and its content of quartz, as well as the amount of respirable particles. The most dangerous of particles larger than 0, 5 to 5 microns. In previous years, silicosis developed under adverse working conditions in the first 5 - 10 years.

What happens to the lungs when silicosis

In this disease, pulmonary nodules formed which consists of dead cells, which is located inside the dust particles. Around these formations grows connective tissue, forming a knot. Nodules can be located on the entire surface of the lungs, or to merge into one big knot that can decay inside, forming a cavity - the cavity. Sometimes, in the center or at the periphery of such nodes is delayed lime. Connective tissue can develop around the blood vessels and bronchial tubes, squeezing them. Over time, the affected pleura (serous membrane covering the lungs) and bronchi. Light no longer perform its function and the patient dies of cardiopulmonary diseases Heart failure - when the heart is unable to cope with the work .

As shown

Symptoms of silicosis usually detected on chest radiography. Silicosis may be in three forms: nodular, interstitial and nodular. Nodular form is characterized by the presence in the lungs of small rounded well-defined shadows of similar size from 1, 5 to 10 mm, which are clearly visible on radiographs. When interstitial form of silicosis are determined by changes in the X-ray lung picture due to the development of connective tissue around the blood vessels and bronchi. For nodular form of silicosis can be seen on X-ray units ranging in size from 1 to 10 cm in diameter.

Silicosis proceeds in three stages. Patients with silicosis, as a rule, impose few complaints. Most often, they say mild shortness of breath, cough (dry or with phlegm), and chest pain Chest pain is one symptom - a lot of diseases . All these phenomena are increasing as the development process in the lungs. At the same time signs of the disease often depend not only on the silicosis, but also on concomitant inflammation of the bronchi.

The general condition of the patients for a long time can remain satisfactory. But as the disease progresses gradually starts to suffer cardiovascular system: the heart can not cope with the load of pumping blood through the lungs, silicosis affected, the blood stagnates in the lungs, causing pulmonary edema, which silicosis patients and eventually dies.

The current progressive silicosis, with the development of pulmonary fibrosis (a significant proliferation in their connective tissue with respiratory failure) occurs at different times. There are silicosis is slowly progressive, remain at the same level, sometimes for decades (mostly interstitial), rapidly progressive - deterioration can occur in 7-8 years, and faster, and the so-called late silicosis - developing many years after exposure occurred with dust. In the past, there were cases of acute silicosis, the disease progresses rapidly and especially malignant.

Silicosis is often complicated by tuberculosis, acute and chronic pneumonia, bronchial asthma. Various immune disorders may lead to the development of autoimmune diseases (allergy own tissues), for example, rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis - debunking myths about the disease .

Treatment of silicosis

Treatment of silicosis should be comprehensive, aimed at improving the overall condition of the body, preventing complications and progression of the disease. Showing nutrition, breathing exercises, spa treatment. In the early stages of the disease using physiotherapy treatments, medicines that help dilate the bronchi and sputum discharge, cardiac agents. When the complications of active treatment is carried out.

Prevention of silicosis is the proper organization of production and regular preventive examinations of employees of industries threatened by disease silicosis.

Galina Romanenko

Prevention of altitude sickness

Mountain sickness occurs at high altitude - about 2, 4 thousand meters above sea level - and is accompanied by unpleasant sensations of nausea, dizziness and discomfort. Although it is believed that the main cause of mountain sickness is a low level of oxygen, the oxygen content of the air remains at the same level of 21% and at an altitude of 2000 meters and a height of 20 thousand meters. However, the pressure varies with altitude, because of which the change in the ratio of hydrogen and oxygen molecules in the air, and the body receives less oxygen than is needed to maintain normal functioning of the body and brain.

Altitude sickness in children

Mountain sickness is not dependent on age, sex and any special features of the body, so to determine a person's predisposition to disease is almost impossible. It is known, however, that most of mountain sickness in children as young body needs more time to adjust to the high altitude. Most of altitude sickness are children under the age of six years and women with premenstrual syndrome.

Children and adolescents with parents traveling on mountain areas at high altitude, can suffer from minor symptoms of altitude sickness. Usually these symptoms disappear within a day or two, so that no medications to cure the disorder is not required. As a rule, the best cure for altitude sickness becomes a rest, and medications are assigned only when the symptoms of altitude sickness does not go away and worsens the human condition.

Altitude sickness, while in itself is not dangerous to health, can nevertheless lead to quite a number of serious diseases. Among them - pulmonary edema and cerebral edema are extremely dangerous to human disease. Pulmonary edema is caused by excessive load; susceptible to this disease, even young and healthy people. Pulmonary edema is accompanied by rapid and shallow breathing, cough wet, blue nails and lips, fatigue and a feeling of tightness in the chest. Swelling of the brain - perhaps the most dangerous for the human condition: the brain ceases to function properly, and the expense of human life goes on days or even hours.

Sometimes the mountain sickness is accompanied by symptoms similar to the symptoms of the common cold - such as headache, which may be due to dehydration and weakness, sleep disturbances Dreams: how to understand our dreams , Upset stomach. Fatigue, cough, shortness of breath Shortness of breath - what she can testify?   - Symptoms of a more serious stage of altitude sickness, along with dizziness Dizziness - if the ground is slipping from under his feet   and heart palpitations.

Prevention

For people who are not accustomed to great heights, the process of adaptation to the rarefied mountain air can take a long time. The first measure of prevention of altitude sickness - to avoid too great heights and stay at an altitude of 2, 4 thousand meters above sea level. In addition, it is recommended to climb gradually - that is, high-pass routes on foot, not overcome them by car or plane.

The most common symptoms of altitude sickness observed in passenger aircraft, although usually altitude of less than 2, 4 thousand meters. In addition, experience symptoms of altitude sickness may be due to any physical activity, coupled with the rise to great heights. Typically, mountain sickness occurs because of excessive loads, so, being at high altitude, in the first 24 hours to avoid a significant physical activity and gradually adapt.

Sometimes the cause of altitude sickness can become dehydrated and alcohol abuse, which deprives the body of necessary moisture. A necessary condition for the adaptation to higher altitudes - as much of the liquid; maintaining a normal water balance in the body not only will prevent altitude sickness, but also get rid of a headache.

To prevent symptoms of mountain sickness, avoid tobacco and certain medications: sleeping pills, tranquilizers, barbiturates.

In particular, the emergence of altitude sickness are subject to a variety of people with heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic lung diseases. At the initial stage of the symptoms of altitude sickness can be eliminated by simply dropping a small height. If the symptoms get worse over time, you should see a doctor.

In the early stage of altitude sickness effectively help certain medications - such as acetazolamide, nifedipine, sildenafil, anti-oxidants Antioxidants: the truth about the notorious benefits . Get rid of the headache will help acetaminophen, aspirin, but, on the contrary, will only aggravate the condition.

To relieve the symptoms of pulmonary edema, steroids are recommended to facilitate the painful condition, but do not cure the disease. Dexamethasone helps to cope with the swelling and prevent further symptoms of altitude sickness.