Silicosis or ‘Potter’s Rot’ is a form of pneumoconiosis, an occupational lung disease caused by inhaled dust particles, and in particular silica dust or crystalline silica. Silica is a common mineral found in sand and rocks such as granite, sandstone, flint and slate. It can also be found in some coal and metallic ores. The cutting, breaking, blasting, drilling and crushing of the rocks causes the silica to be released and increases the risks to the professions involved in this work, of being exposed to the silica dust, therefore heightening their chances of contracting Silicosis.
What are the symptoms?
Silicosis is usually diagnosed in people over forty as it takes years of exposure before the effects of the progressive lung damage becomes apparent. The most common form of silicosis is chronic silicosis and some of the symptoms are shortness of breath, severe cough, fatigue, loss of appetite, chest pains, fever and cyanosis which is bluish skin. Chronic silicosis usually develops after ten or more years of exposure. Accelerated silicosis is a consequence of higher exposure and develops over five to ten years. Acute silicosis occurs when exposure has been at its highest and can cause symptoms to develop within weeks and up to 5 years. The disease is horrific and claims can be made for industrial disease compensation.
What is the diagnosis?
There are three main elements to the diagnosis of silicosis, the first being that the patient should have a work history which would show enough exposure to silica dust to cause the illness. The second element would come from the results of an x-ray which should show signs consistent with silicosis. The third and final element is that there are no other underlying illnesses causing the condition.
What are the treatments?
As the disease cannot be reversed, there are few lasting treatments available. The initial steps to take are to avoid continuing exposure and if the patient smokes, then they need to stop. These steps will not prevent the disease from progressing but it will stop a faster rate of progression. Most of the treatments administered are aimed at relieving pain and suffering.
To help them breathe, most patients will be administered with oxygen and steroids as the disease runs its course. The steroids given throughout the treatment give temporary relief of the symptoms, however the best treatment available for end-stage silicosis is a lung transplant, which can be life-saving. This can prolong the life of the patient if successful, however there are many complications that can arise from a lung transplant, such as finding a suitable donor and fighting the rejection of the donated lungs by the patients’ body.
Additional Information
Workers who are most at risk of exposure to silicosis such as sandblasters and miners, need to have regular health checks and continue to use respiratory equipment when carrying out their hazardous tasks.
The disease itself is horrific and avoiding it at all costs should be a workers and employers’ perogative. So ensure you or your staff are not at risk.
Jonathan Fieldstead is a lover of his work as a content writer and has never had to work in an environent where he could be at risk from this illness