Silicosis (patient information)

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

WikiDoc Resources for Silicosis (patient information)
Articles
Most recent articles on Silicosis (patient information) Most cited articles on Silicosis (patient information) Review articles on Silicosis (patient information) Articles on Silicosis (patient information) in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Silicosis (patient information) Images of Silicosis (patient information) Photos of Silicosis (patient information) Podcasts & MP3s on Silicosis (patient information) Videos on Silicosis (patient information)
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Silicosis (patient information) Bandolier on Silicosis (patient information) TRIP on Silicosis (patient information)
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Silicosis (patient information) at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Silicosis (patient information) Clinical Trials on Silicosis (patient information) at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Silicosis (patient information) NICE Guidance on Silicosis (patient information) NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Silicosis (patient information) CDC on Silicosis (patient information)
Books
Books on Silicosis (patient information)
News
Silicosis (patient information) in the news Be alerted to news on Silicosis (patient information) News trends on Silicosis (patient information)
Commentary
Blogs on Silicosis (patient information)
Definitions
Definitions of Silicosis (patient information)
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Silicosis (patient information) Discussion groups on Silicosis (patient information) Patient Handouts on Silicosis (patient information) Directions to Hospitals Treating Silicosis (patient information) Risk calculators and risk factors for Silicosis (patient information)
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Silicosis (patient information) Causes & Risk Factors for Silicosis (patient information) Diagnostic studies for Silicosis (patient information) Treatment of Silicosis (patient information)
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Silicosis (patient information)
International
Silicosis (patient information) en Espanol Silicosis (patient information) en Francais
Business
Silicosis (patient information) in the Marketplace Patents on Silicosis (patient information)
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Silicosis (patient information)

Editor-in-Chief: Alexandra M. Palmer

Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [1] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

What is Silicosis?

Silicosis is a respiratory disease caused by breathing in (inhaling) silica dust.

What are the symptoms of Silicosis?

• Chronic cough
• Shortness of breath with exercise, usually in patients who have progressive massive fibrosis

Other symptoms of this disease, especially in acute silicosis:

• Cough
• Fever
• Severe breathing difficulty
• Weight loss

What causes Silicosis?

Silica is a common, naturally-occurring crystal. It is found in most rock beds and forms dust during mining, quarrying, tunneling, and working with many metal ores. Silica is a main part of sand, so glass workers and sand-blasters are also exposed to silica.

Three types of silicosis exist:

• Simple chronic silicosis -- results from long-term exposure (more than 20 years) to low amounts of silica dust. Swellings caused by the silica dust form in the lungs and chest lymph nodes. This disease may cause people to have trouble breathing.

• Accelerated silicosis -- occurs after exposure to larger amounts of silica over a shorter period of time (5 - 15 years). Swelling in the lungs and symptoms occur faster than in simple silicosis.

• Acute silicosis -- results from short-term exposure to very large amounts of silica. The lungs become very inflamed and can fill with fluid, causing severe shortness of breath and low blood oxygen levels.

Progressive massive fibrosis can occur in either simple or accelerated silicosis, but is more common in the accelerated form. Progressive massive fibrosis is caused by severe scarring and destroys normal lung structures.

People who work in jobs where they are exposed to silica dust are at risk. These jobs include:

• Abrasives manufacturing

• Mining

• Quarrying

• Road and building construction

• Sand blasting

• Stone cutting

Intense exposure to silica can cause disease within a year, but it usually takes at least 10 - 15 years of exposure before symptoms occur. Silicosis has become less common since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) created regulations requiring the use of protective equipment, which limits the amount of silica dust workers inhale.

How do I know I have Silicosis?

Your health care provider will take a medical history that includes many questions about your jobs (past and present), hobbies, and other activities that may have exposed you to silica. The health care provider will also do a physical exam.

Tests to confirm the diagnosis and rule out similar diseases include:

• Chest x-ray

• Pulmonary function tests

• Purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test (for tuberculosis)

When to seek urgent medical care

Call your health care provider if you are exposed to silica at work and you have symptoms of the disease.

Treatment options

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.

Treatment also includes limiting exposure to irritants, quitting smoking, and having routine tuberculosis skin tests.

People with silicosis are at high risk for developing tuberculosis (TB). Silica is believed to interfere with the body's immune response to the bacteria that causes TB. People with silicosis should have skin tests to check for exposure to TB. Those with a positive skin test should be treated with anti-TB drugs. Any change in the appearance of the chest x-ray may be a sign of TB.

Where to find medical care for Silicosis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Silicosis

Prevention of Silicosis

If you work in a high-risk occupation or have a high-risk hobby, wear dust masks and do not smoke. You might also want to use other protection recommended by OSHA, such as a respirator.