What is the Difference Between Asbestosis and Silicosis

Asbestosis and silicosis are two different types of lung diseases. Lung diseases are the most common medical conditions in the world. They can occur when there are issues in the lungs, which are part of a complex respiratory system. Lungs expand and relax to bring in oxygen and send out carbon dioxide during respiration.

The key difference between asbestosis and silicosis is their cause. Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease that occurs from long-term inhalation of respirable asbestos fibers, while silicosis is a chronic lung disease that occurs from long-term inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Asbestosis 
3. What is Silicosis
4. Similarities – Asbestosis and Silicosis
5. Asbestosis vs Silicosis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Asbestosis vs Silicosis
7. FAQ – Asbestosis and Silicosis

What is Asbestosis?

Asbestosis is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers results in lung tissue scarring and shortness of breath. The other symptoms of this condition include chest tightness or chest pain, persistent, dry cough, dry, cracking sounds in the lungs when inhaling, and clubbing of the fingertips and toes. People who generally work in mining, milling, manufacturing, and installation or removal of asbestos-based products are at the highest risk of getting asbestosis.

Figure 01: Asbestosis

A variety of diagnostic tests can be used to diagnose asbestosis. These include work history, physical examination, chest X-ray, CT scan, and pulmonary function test. Furthermore, treatment of asbestosis focuses on slowing the progression of the disease and relieving the symptoms. Therefore, treatment options include providing prescribed supplemental oxygen and surgery.

What is Silicosis?

Silicosis is caused by inhaling large amounts of crystalline silica dust. People who work in stone masonry, construction and demolition, pottery, ceramics and glass manufacturing, mining and quarrying, and sandblasting are at higher risk of getting silicosis. The main symptoms of silicosis are a persistent cough, shortness of breath, weakness, and tiredness.

Figure 02: Silicosis

The diagnosis of silicosis is made through a work history, chest X-ray, CT scan, and lung function test. Furthermore, treatments for silicosis aim at relieving the symptoms of silicosis, which include home oxygen therapy, providing prescribed bronchodilator medicines, antibiotics for chest infections, and lung transplants.

Similarities Between Asbestosis and Silicosis

1. Asbestosis and silicosis are two lung diseases.
2. Both conditions are rare lung diseases.
3. They can cause lung scarring.
4. Both conditions are more common in mining workers.
5. These conditions can be diagnosed through work history, physical examination, and lung function tests.

Difference Between Asbestosis and Silicosis

Definition

1. Asbestosis is caused by breathing in asbestos dust and fibers.
2. Silicosis is caused by breathing in crystalline silica dust.

Signs and Symptoms

1. The signs and symptoms of asbestosis include cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, swelling, fatigue, and weight loss or loss of appetite.
2. The signs and symptoms of silicosis include persistent cough, coughing up sputum, fibrosis, shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, and unintended weight loss.

Risk Factors

1. People who are at more risk of getting asbestosis include asbestos miners, installers or removers, auto or aircraft mechanics, construction crews, electrical workers, and railroad and shipyard workers.
2. People who are at more risk of getting silicosis include stone masonry, construction and demolition, pottery, ceramics and glass manufacturing, mining and quarrying, and sandblasting.

Diagnosis

1. The diagnosis of asbestosis is determined through a work history, physical examination, chest X-ray, CT scan, lung function test (spirometry), and bronchoscopy.
2. The diagnosis of silicosis is determined through work history, physical examination, chest X-ray, CT scan, pulmonary function test, laboratory test, bronchoalveolar lavage, and liver biopsy.

Treatment

1. The treatments for asbestosis are oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, lung transplant surgery, and medicines like anti-fibrotics.
2. The treatments for silicosis are quitting smoking or using tobacco products,  giving supplemental oxygen, using bronchodilators to improve airflow, getting flu or pneumonia vaccines to protect airways, and providing experimental drugs called nintedanib and lung transplant surgery.

The following table summarizes the difference between asbestosis and silicosis.

Summary – Asbestosis vs Silicosis

Lung diseases prevent the lungs from functioning properly. Asbestosis and silicosis are two lung diseases. Both these conditions are more commonly seen in mining workers. However, asbestosis is a chronic lung disease that is caused by breathing in asbestos dust and fibers, while silicosis is a chronic lung disease caused by breathing in crystalline silica dust. This is the key difference between asbestosis and silicosis.

FAQ: Asbestosis and Silicosis

1. What are common lung diseases?

• The most common lung diseases include pneumothorax, asthma, atelectasis, bronchitis, COPD, lung cancer, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, and blocked lung arteries called pulmonary embolus.

2. What are the first signs and symptoms of asbestosis?

• The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, chest pain, dry, crackling sound in the lungs while breathing in, weight loss from loss of appetite, and clubbing of fingertips and toes.

3. Can asbestosis be cured?

• There is no permanent cure for asbestosis once it has developed. However, some treatments can help relieve symptoms. These include oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, providing medicines like anti-fibrotics, and lung transplant surgery.

4. What are the first signs and symptoms of asbestosis?

• The common symptoms of asbestosis are persistent cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, weakness, fatigue, fever, night sweats, leg swelling, and bluish discoloration of lips.

5. Can lungs heal from silicosis?

• There is no permanent cure for silicosis because lung damage cannot be reversed. The treatment aims to relieve symptoms and includes oxygen therapy, cough medicine, bronchodilators, antibiotics for respiratory infections, and a lung transplant.

Reference:

1. “Asbestos Exposure & Your Health Risk.” Cleveland Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Lung – Asbestosis – Asbestos body” By Y. Rosen, MD – (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Silicosis Simple” By Gumersindorego – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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