Silicosis is a lung disease. It occurs particularly in the context of occupational diseases and is more prevalent in developing countries, where occupational health and safety levels are low.
What is silicosis?
Silicosis occurs due to quartz particles. If these are inhaled at regular intervals and in higher doses, the lungs undergo pathological changes. Eventually, the symptoms result in a serious disease of the respiratory system. Because this develops due to quartz, it is also called quartz dust lung apart from medical terminology. The workplace is particularly often to blame for silicosis. If the workplace is highly contaminated with quartz in the form of dust, the disease cannot be ruled out. Companies at risk are those in sectors such as mining or diamond cutting. Accordingly, silicosis belongs to the occupational diseases. The risk of contracting the ailment outside the workplace is very low.
Causes
Working in mines provides an increased concentration of quartz dust in the air. When this is inhaled, the particles enter the affected person’s lungs. The contaminants remain in the tissue, whereupon the organism signals the existence of foreign bodies. Accordingly, the cells try to repel the particles. However, because the dust particles are very small, they can usually penetrate as far as the alveoli. Eventually, more antibodies are produced, as is normal in the context of a healthy immune system when pathogens have invaded. The immune cells attack the dust particles and try to destroy them in this way. Ultimately, however, the immune cells fail to eliminate them. Instead, the cells die and the dust particles re-enter the lungs. More antibodies turn their attention to the foreign particles, and they die again. Thus, the amount of dead cells eventually accumulates in the area of the lungs. The body reacts with an inflammation of the lung, whereupon again more connective tissue cells are produced. As the disease progresses, silicosis results in fibrosis. Fibrosis permanently limits the ability of the lungs to function.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
The first appearance of symptoms depends primarily on the specific concentration of quartz in the air. Thus, years may pass initially or only a few months before the disease first manifests itself. At the same time, late symptoms cause far-reaching consequences: as soon as they appear, silicosis is often already far advanced and some therapeutic approaches can no longer be applied. Eventually, affected individuals notice an irritating cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, weight loss, a mild fever, dry cough, and joint pain as part of the disease. The dry irritating cough usually remains permanent and cannot be treated by taking expectorants or similar medications. Shortness of breath is particularly noticeable during physical exertion. For example, sufferers quickly become out of breath when climbing stairs. If the disease is already far advanced, the struggle for air can also occur at rest. In some cases, oxygen penetration is only possible again after a few futile breaths. As a result of the lack of oxygen, lips and fingers turn blue.
Diagnosis and course of action
If silicosis is not treated, it will eventually result in death from asphyxiation. Accordingly, diagnosis as early as possible is crucial. However, because symptoms are often noticed late and could simultaneously indicate other diseases, the diagnosis is often not confirmed until several specialists work together. Accurate information from the patient about his or her workplace is particularly important here. Breathing can then be listened to and the function of the lungs checked. Finally, tissue samples can be taken as part of a lung endoscopy. Examination of the cells in the laboratory provides further information about the possible presence of silicosis.
Complications
Silicosis can result in some complications. The extent of these depends on whether the form of silicosis is acute or chronic. For example, acute silicosis often results in death, due to rapidly spreading respiratory failure. In a chronic course, the symptoms usually only become apparent after several decades of exposure to quartz dust.Due to pulmonary fibrosis, the life expectancy of affected individuals is shortened only in rare cases. However, there is an increased susceptibility to external infections due to silica dust lung. Therefore, prompt treatment is required to prevent further respiratory problems. Complications of silicosis include tuberculosis (consumption). Thus, patients have a thirty-fold increased risk of disease. If silicosis is diagnosed on the one hand and tuberculosis on the other, medical science refers to this as silico-tuberculosis. Other possible sequelae of silica dust lung are chronic inflammations of the respiratory tract. They occur mainly in people who work in coal mines. Because the respiratory tract can no longer sufficiently clear itself of quartz dust, this leads to the development of inflammation. Increased mucus is produced and the trachea narrows. As a result, the air can no longer be sufficiently exhaled. This poses the threat of emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Also among the sequelae of silicosis are connective tissue diseases, Caplan syndrome, which is a mixture of quartz lung and rheumatoid arthritis, and lung cancer.
When should you go to the doctor?
Silicosis usually always requires medical treatment. Since this disease cannot heal itself, the affected person is always dependent on medical treatment in order to prevent and limit further complications. In the worst case, the symptoms of silicosis will lead to the death of the affected person if the disease is not treated. A doctor should be consulted if the patient suffers from severe breathing difficulties. There is an irritating cough and further also shortness of breath. The affected person also suffers from severe fatigue or weight loss due to the breathing difficulties. Strenuous activities can hardly be carried out any more, so that those affected are clearly restricted in their everyday life due to silicosis. Pain in the joints or fever can also indicate the disease and should also be examined by a doctor. The diagnosis of silicosis can usually be made by a family doctor or by an ENT specialist. Further treatment depends strongly on the severity of the disease. A complete cure cannot be achieved.
Treatment and therapy
The earlier the diagnosis begins, the more effective the therapeutic approaches. New tissue is formed by the formation of connective tissue cells. At the same time, inflammation of the lungs leads to scarring of the organ. If scarring and new tissue formation progress, the function of the lung becomes limited. The development of both components cannot be reversed. The same is true for silicosis as a whole. It is a disease that cannot be cured according to current medical knowledge. Nevertheless, treatment to alleviate the symptoms is possible. The basis of the therapy is based on the effort to prevent or at least slow down the further development of scars and tissue. Particularly important here is the avoidance of further quartz particles. Accordingly, affected persons usually have to change their occupation. If the lungs were to continue to be exposed to quartz, the disease often cannot be stopped. At the same time, treatment focuses on alleviating the symptoms caused by silicosis. Inflammation is treated with cortisone, and chronic oxygen deficiency is compensated for by long-term oxygen therapy. Sufferers receive oxygen through tubes. The device remains connected for up to 16 hours and ensures that patients can overcome light exertion without shortness of breath. In some sufferers, a lung transplant must be completed to prevent silicosis from leading to death.
Prevention
Silicosis can be prevented. The most effective way is to avoid workplaces that have high exposure to quartz dust. If no quartz dust is inhaled, the particles cannot enter the lungs and thus endanger health. Workers who are already employed in the affected lines of business should make sure they have adequate protective clothing.
Aftercare
For the purpose of improving well-being, it is recommended during aftercare to avoid environments that are rich in pollutants and whose contaminants can easily find their way into the lungs.The consumption of nicotine should be completely avoided, both actively and passively. In addition, areas should be avoided where, for example, gases or dyes can be inhaled particularly easily. The supply of oxygen-rich air is extremely important for those affected. For this reason, regular ventilation should be mandatory in closed rooms. Oxygen-rich air should also be provided during nighttime sleep. Situations of physical overexertion should be avoided if possible, as they can act as a trigger for organic irregularities or complications. It is not uncommon to hear patients complain of fatigue or shortness of breath. Therefore, the focus should also be on optimal sleep hygiene. Those who maintain a good daytime and sleep rhythm improve their overall situation. If situations of shortness of breath occur, it is important to remain calm. States of anxiety often intensify, especially in hectic situations, and should therefore be avoided. Those who take medication as part of their aftercare should in any case pay attention to the side effects – especially if it is to be expected that active substances can have a negative effect on breathing activity.
Here’s what you can do yourself
To improve well-being, avoid situations and environments where pollutants can enter the lungs. This means that the consumption of nicotine should be completely refrained from, both actively and passively. In addition, areas where gases or dyes can be inhaled should not be visited. The supply of oxygen-rich air is immensely important for the affected person. Therefore, regular ventilation in closed rooms should be ensured. Oxygen-rich air should also be available during night sleep. Situations of physical overexertion should be avoided, as they can trigger organic irregularities or complications. Patients often complain of fatigue or shortness of breath. For this reason, sleep hygiene should be improved overall. A good daytime and sleep rhythm help in improving the overall situation. As soon as situations of shortness of breath occur, calmness should be maintained. States of anxiety can intensify, especially in hectic situations, and should therefore be avoided. When taking medication, attention must be paid to the side effects. This applies in particular if active substances can have a negative effect on respiratory activity. In the case of a blue discoloration of the skin or disturbances of the heart rhythm, the limits of self-help have been reached. In these cases, cooperation with a physician must be sought.
