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{{Silicosis (patient information)}}
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Silicosis|here]]'''
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Silicosis|here]]'''


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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|OSHA]]) created regulations requiring the use of  protective equipment, which limits the amount of [[silica]] dust workers  [[inhale]].
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|OSHA]]) created regulations requiring the use of  protective equipment, which limits the amount of [[silica]] dust workers  [[inhale]].


==Who is at risk for Silicosis?==
==Who is at highest risk?==
People who work in jobs where they are exposed to [[silica]] dust are at  risk. These jobs  include:
People who work in jobs where they are exposed to [[silica]] dust are at  risk. These jobs  include:


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*Stone cutting
*Stone cutting


==How do I know I have Silicosis?==  
==Diagnosis==  
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]].
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]].


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*[[Purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test]] (for [[tuberculosis]])
*[[Purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test]] (for [[tuberculosis]])


==When to seek urgent medical care==
==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]].
Call your [[health care provider]] if you are exposed to [[silica]] at work and  you have [[symptoms]] of the [[disease]].


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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]].
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==
==Where to find medical care for Silicosis?==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Silicosis}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Silicosis]
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Silicosis}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Silicosis]


==Prevention of Silicosis==
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
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|OSHA]], such as a [[respirator]].
 
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)==
The outcome varies depending on the amount of damage to the [[lungs]].
The outcome varies depending on the amount of damage to the [[lungs]].


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*[[Progressive massive fibrosis]]
*[[Progressive massive fibrosis]]
*[[Respiratory failure]]
*[[Respiratory failure]]
==Prevention==
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|OSHA]], such as a [[respirator]].


==Sources==
==Sources==
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[[Category:Disease state]]
[[Category:Disease state]]
[[Category:Mature chapter]]
[[Category:Overview complete]]
[[Category:Template complete]]
[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Pulmonary patient information]]
[[Category:Pulmonary patient information]]
[[Category:Pulmonology]]
[[Category:Pulmonology]]
 
[[Category:Occupational diseases]]
{{SIB}}
{{WH}}
{{WH}}
{{WS}}
{{WS}}

Revision as of 13:03, 9 August 2011

Silicosis

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Silicosis?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Prevention

Silicosis On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Silicosis

Videos on Silicosis

FDA on Silicosis

CDC on Silicosis

Silicosis in the news

Blogs on Silicosis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Silicosis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Silicosis

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Assistant Editor-in-Chief: Alexandra M. Palmer

Overview

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

What are the symptoms of Silicosis?

Other symptoms of this disease, especially in acute silicosis:

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:

  • 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.

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.

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.

Who is at highest risk?

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

Diagnosis

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:

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

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

The outcome varies depending on the amount of damage to the lungs.

Possible complications

Prevention

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.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000134.htm Template:WH Template:WS