Asbestosis Treatments

Treatment

There is no treatment to cure asbestosis, and the disease slowly worsens. The first and most important changes a person can make are the following:

• Prevent further exposure to asbestos
• Stop smoking; people who have asbestosis and smoke cigarettes greatly increase their risk of developing lung cancer

Once the condition is diagnosed, treatment involves keeping the patient healthy and treating the symptoms. These measures include:

• Getting immediate treatment for colds and other respiratory infections
• Staying updated with vaccinations, especially for flu (influenza) and pneumococcus
• Avoiding crowds, where infections might be spread
• Having regular chest x-rays to watch for signs of cancers associated with asbestos
• Having oxygen therapy and other respiratory therapies that can make breathing easier
• Improve the nutritional state
• Encourage breathing and physical exercises
• Home oxygen, if necessary