Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Photo showing clubbing of fingers Clubbing of fingers

The effects of long-term exposure to asbestos typically don't show up for at least 20 to 30 years after initial exposure. Asbestosis signs and symptoms include:

  • Shortness of breath. The main symptom of asbestosis is shortness of breath. Initially, the shortness of breath occurs only with exertion, but eventually it will happen even while you're resting.
  • Coughing and chest pain. As the disease progresses, you may experience a persistent dry cough and intermittent chest pain.
  • Finger deformity. Advanced cases of asbestosis sometimes result in a finger deformity called clubbing, where the tips of the fingers spread out and become rounder. Many other types of health problems also can cause clubbing.

When to see a doctor
If you have a history of exposure to asbestos and you're experiencing increasing shortness of breath, talk to your doctor about the possibility of asbestosis.

Causes Definition
References
  1. Asbestos-related lung diseases. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/asb/asb_all.html. Accessed Oct. 29, 2010.
  2. Asbestos: Health effects. Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/asbestos/health_effects/. Accessed Oct. 29, 2010.
  3. The asbestos informer. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.epa.gov/region4/air/asbestos/inform.htm. Accessed Oct. 29, 2010.
  4. Cowie RL, et al. Asbestos-related fibrosis of the lungs (asbestosis) and pleura. In:
  5. Mason RJ, et al. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4710-0..00065-1--s0180&isbn=978-1-4160-4710-0&sid=1075834186&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4710-0..00065-1--s0180&uniqId=224557682-3#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4710-0..00065-1--s0180. Accessed Oct. 29, 2010.
  6. Samet JM. Occupational pulmonary disorders. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.  http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/224557682-4/1075834186/1492/377.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50098-7--cesec20_3900. Accessed Oct. 29, 2010.
  7. King TE. Asbestosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 29, 2010.
  8. Clinical screening guidelines for asbestos-related lung disease. Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/site-kit/docs/clinscrguide_32205_lo.pdf. Accessed Nov. 1, 2010.
  9. DeShazo RD, et al. Asbestosis. In: Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?sid=1077017244&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00004-1--sc0100&isbn=978-1-4160-6642-2&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00004-1--s1330&uniqId=224896730-3. Accessed Nov. 1, 2010.
DS00482 Jan. 7, 2011

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger