chronic silicosis is the most common form of the disease.There is rapid increase in scarring of the lungs within 10 years of first exposure accelerated silicosis is linked to high exposure of silica.In this type of silicosis the lungs fill with fluid which causes severe breathlessness acute silicosis which can develop following very heavy exposure to silica within weeks or years of exposure.Silicosis can develop faster than CWP and is considered more dangerous, as crystalline silica is known to cause lung cancer. Silicosis is caused by respirable crystalline silica. Coal workers’ pneumoconiosisĬoal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) is a type pneumoconiosis caused by long-term occupational exposure to harmful levels of respirable coal dust. Limiting exposure to respirable dust can stop the development of the disease in its early stages. Treatment from this point is to maintain and protect remaining lung function Prognosis is poor once the worker has been determined to have complex pneumoconiosis.Prognosis is for a normal quality of life, with small modifications depending on severity of diagnosis.In others, it may continue to progress regardless of ceasing dust exposure. In some people, the disease may not progress once dust exposure is limited.Disease progress can be halted through reduced exposure to dust.Areas of fibrosis fuse and block the lung vessels, eventually causing them to die (necrosis).Nodules join together, creating large areas of fibrosis (scar tissue).Macules are hard to differentiate from blood vessels in X-ray.Small nodules in lung tissue (called coal macules) 1-2mm in size.Simple forms of the disease can progress to complicated forms if harmful levels of dust exposure continues.Ĭomplicated pneumoconiosis is also known as progressive massive fibrosis or PMF. The severity of the disease can be described as either simple or complicated. Pneumoconiosis may take several years to develop, commonly 10 years or more, and the disease can manifest in different people in different ways, depending on the composition of the dust, the duration of exposure and other individual factors. For example, coal workers’ pneumoconiosis is caused by coal dust and silicosis from crystalline silica. The type of pneumoconiosis depends on the type of dust exposure. Pneumoconiosis is an occupational form of pulmonary fibrosis that causes scarring of the lungs.
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