Silicosis of the lung is one of the most common forms of pneumoconiosis, occupational disease associated with prolonged inhalation of dust, quartz, granite, sandstone and other substances. Most often, this disease occurs among workers in engineering, metallurgy, mining.
Silicosis of the lungs - symptoms
The main signs of silicosis are as follows:
- Shortness of breath , which patients do not pay attention, because it manifests itself under physical stress. However, in the late stages of dyspnea, the patient is constantly worried.
- The presence of silicosis is indicated by such a characteristic symptom as pain in the chest, accompanied by a feeling of squeezing.
- Dry cough with separation of a small amount of phlegm. The presence of bronchitis and bronchiectasis is indicated by the release of purulent sputum.
- In the later stages of silicosis, tachycardia and heart failure are observed.
- The temperature is usually within the normal range. Its increase indicates the development of tuberculosis , purulent infection or pneumonia.
For a long time, signs of the disease can go unnoticed. Therefore, the disease can proekat chronically for several years. In such cases, against the background of a decrease in the body's resistance and the accumulation of metabolic products in the lungs, tuberculosis develops.
Silicosis - treatment and prevention measures
An important measure for the prevention of occupational lung diseases is the fight against excessive dustiness of the air and the use of personal protective equipment (respirators, spacesuits). Preventive measures include regular physical examination with radiography for the study of respiratory functions.
The control of silicosis of the lungs implies the treatment of the symptoms of the disease.
To get rid of shortness of breath and cough, the patient is prescribed expectorant drugs. The patient is prescribed nicotinic and ascorbic acids, which help strengthen the body and enhance oxidative processes.
A good effect is possessed by oxygen and alkaline inhalations, which remove harmful elements from the body.
In order to cope with silicosis, it is important to carry out complex treatment, combining drugs with sanatorium treatment and physiotherapy.
The emergence of tuberculosis on the background of silicosis requires its specific treatment with the use of anti-tuberculosis drugs.