Symptoms of Asbestosis

Asbestosis usually goes undiagnosed for years, even decades, because the symptoms can take between twenty and thirty years to manifest themselves, and then do so only gradually. Asbestosis symptoms only become noticeable after significant portions of the lung have become scarred. It is the scarring of the lungs which causes them to become stiff, initially causing a difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. In smokers with chronic bronchitis, early symptoms of asbestosis may include a cough and wheeze. As the illness progresses, breathing becomes more difficult. While not common (about 15% of cases), some asbestosis victims may develop severe shortness of breath and respiratory failure.

Fluid accumulation in the lungs may cause a difficulty breathing in a person with noncancerous asbestos effusion. Furthermore, pleural plaques may develop in asbestosis victims which cause a mild breathing difficulty, again due to a reduction in the elasticity of the lung walls. Persistent pain in the chest and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms caused by mesothelioma.