login
Become a member
Quick Registration
Full Registration Benefits -
Free Homepages for Doctors
Free Homepages for Hospitals
Free Homepages for Medical Conference
Free Homepages for NGO's
Personal Health Record Creation
Access to all Medical Slides
Access to all Jobs & Products Sale
| Disease Info Index | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Asbestosis
Drugs For Asbestosis
Page Options
Asbestosis | |
Mechanism |
|
Text 
|
On exposure to asbestos, the larger fibers are filtered in the nasal passage and the upper airways. The minute fibers, in the size range of 3 µm, penetrate the lower airways of the lungs. These fibers are recognized as foreign agents and are, therefore attacked by the macrophages which are components of the body’s immune system. When the macrophage engulfs the fibers, they get destroyed due to the size of these fibres. The entry of more macrophages to attack the free fibre releases enzymes and free radicals, which has the potential to damage the lung cells. Fibers, with diameters smaller than 3 micrometers, can even penetrate cell membranes. 
As a result of damage, the lung tissue gets fibrosed. Initially, the damage is localized and confined to a small area, The person then starts developing symptoms of lung disease. As the exposure to asbestos continues, the fibrosis extends and sometimes the entire lung becomes scarred. Scarring of the alveoli or air sacs leads to respiratory distress in the affected individuals. |
| Share it! |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Comment & Contribute
|
Posted by:
RobatAsbestosis
Posted on: 10/06/2009 Hi - we are looking for people affected to share their stories on Asbestosis, if interested please get in touch. Cheers, |
| Related Links | ||||||||||||||||
|
Medwonders Health Network
| Citing this Health Article | ||||||
|
||||||
Are you a member of Facebook? Become a fan of Medindia and get breaking news delivered to your Facebook page.
zaki