The main causes of mesothelioma are exposure to asbestos. Asbestos, as well as a number of other mineral materials, have been banned for many years due to the serious health risks they present to workers who are exposed to them. Yet despite these limits on the amount of asbestos exposure allowed, they remain in many construction material and fire fighting products. Mesothelioma is caused by inhaling the fibers from this material, which can cause severe symptoms such as pleural plaques, peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma. Inhaling these fibers without notice can lead to serious complications.
Peritoneal mesothelioma causes the growth of cancerous cells in the abdomen. Physicians use a variety of treatment options to control the disease and lessen the symptoms. When cancer cells are present in large numbers, surgery may be the only option. To deal with the pain, patients will also be given pain management medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs.
Pericardial mesothelioma causes the growth of cancerous tumors that affect the heart, lungs or abdominal organs. This is a much more deadly disease than the other two forms of mesothelioma, as it can come from an exposure to a toxic chemical such as chlorine. In order to prevent this from happening to a loved one, the patient must be carefully monitored. Symptoms should be reported right away, as should family members who may have a history of the disease. A free mesothelioma guide will help you learn more about the symptoms of the disease and various treatment options available.
Mesothelioma can also stem from genetic changes within the mesothelium, which is the covering of the internal organs. These mesothelioma causes can be either genetic or environmental. Some people are more likely to develop the disease than others. Age, gender, and race can make a big difference in the chances of developing the disease. The reason for this is that the mesothelioma fibers, which are responsible for keeping the organs functioning, are present throughout the human body. When these fibers become abnormally thick or long, they can cause organs to work inappropriately.
Environmental factors may contribute to the development of the disease, as well. Mesothelioma is most commonly associated with exposure to asbestos, although some researchers believe that exposure to other chemicals may also play a role. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once widely used in many different construction and industrial products. It is now banned in many countries, due to its negative health effects. However, it was one of the mesothelioma causes that has remained relatively unregulated, allowing coal mining companies to contaminate areas with the mineral without monitoring their employees’ exposure to the material.
Because of the way that asbestos fibers can become airborne and collect into small clumps, they can pose a danger not only to workers who were exposed to them in the workplace but also to those who may live in homes where asbestos had been used as a fireproofing or siding material. Exposure to these small fibers through secondhand cigarette smoke has also been shown to have a connection to the disease. Since there are many other sources of asbestos in the environment, such as building materials, insulation, and cement, there is a great potential for increased exposure among workers. Because there is no way to ensure that asbestos-containing materials will not become airborne during manufacturing or installation processes, all cases of mesothelioma causes have to be considered on an individual basis.
