Asbestosis
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- What is asbestosis?
- Symptoms of asbestosis
- Causes of asbestosis
- Prevention of asbestosis
- Risk factors for asbestosis
- Complications of asbestosis
- When to see a doctor about asbestosis
- Diagnosis of asbestosis
- Conventional treatment of asbestosis
- Alternative/complementary treatment of asbestosis
- Living with asbestosis
- Caring for someone with asbestosis
Alternative / complementary treatment of asbestosis
Asbestosis has no cure, so alternative/complementary strategies can only treat the symptoms and help to strengthen the immune system to prevent worsening of symptoms.
Herbs
There are a few herbs which have immune system stimulating effects and others which help reduce lung inflammation symptoms:
- Garlic - the herb garlic is best if eaten fresh, cooked with food or taken as a supplement. Garlic has potent anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, which may reduce risk of infection in the lungs and because it has blood thinning properties, it may reduce the risk of blood clots due to high blood pressure in the lungs. People taking any type of blood thinning medicine need to consult their doctor about taking garlic, as too much garlic in combination with blood thinning medications may thin the blood too much and create a risk of internal bleeding
- Ginger - the herb ginger has potent anti-inflammatory effects on the whole body, including the lungs and may prevent worsening of symptoms by reducing inflammation in the lungs from the asbestosis
Vitamins
There are a few vitamins which may help the immune system function better:
- Bioflavonoids - the bioflavonoids are used together with vitamin C as they are a potent antioxidant which helps to support the immune system function more effectively
- Vitamin A - the mucous membranes in and around the lungs need adequate levels of vitamin A to be healthy and function properly. Vitamin A is also an excellent antioxidant which can help reduce risk of infection in the lungs. Since vitamin A can be toxic in large amounts, always consult your natural health care professional to ensure you are not exceeding recommended amounts
- Vitamin C - the antioxidant vitamin C may be especially required to help support the immune system from oxidative damage and inflammation. Vitamin C is more effective if it is also combined with the bioflavonoids, both of which occur naturally together in certain fruits and vegetables
- Vitamin D3 - this is the active form of vitamin D, which is obtained from sunshine and is vital to the lung health. Studies have shown that a lack of vitamin D may contribute to lung cancer
- Vitamin E - studies show the antioxidant vitamin E may be beneficial for reducing inflammation in the lungs and so reduce this may reduce the severity and duration of symptoms in people with asbestosis, in which the lining of the lungs becomes inflamed and scarred. People taking any type of blood thinning medications must be careful if they want to take vitamin E, as this vitamin may thin the blood too much and the combination may cause internal bleeding if levels of the blood thinning medications and vitamin E are high
Minerals
There are a few antioxidant vitamins which help the immune system function better:
- Selenium - the mineral selenium is an antioxidant which helps support the immune system to function more effectively, by reducing oxidative damage to the cells
- Zinc - the mineral zinc supports the immune system to function more effectively and also heals any type of damage to the body tissues much more quickly, so may help to reduce scar damage in the lungs
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Other nutrients
There are a number of other nutrients which may help to reduce symptoms:
- Co-enzyme Q10 - the nutrient co-enzyme Q10 has anti-inflammatory properties which may help to reduce symptoms in the lungs
- Omega 3 fatty acids - the omega 3 fatty acids are vital to help reduce inflammation in every part of the body, including the lungs (and bronchi), which may help to reduce scarring and damage to the lungs and help with better breathing, in the person with asbestosis
Dietary modifications
There are a number of dietary modifications that can be used to help reduce asbestosis symptoms:
- Eat more oily fish - the diet should include oily fish about 3-4 times a week to help boost the intake of omega-3 fatty acids and reduce inflammation in the body in general. Best forms of oily fish are: salmon, trout, tuna, blue mackerel, sardines, mullet, golden perch, red fish, sea mullet, yellow fin brim, yellowtail kingfish, tailor, trevally silver, orange roughy, herring, cod. The fish should be cooked fresh as canned fish generally have less omega-3 fatty acids. If fish cannot be eaten, then a fish oil supplement should be taken on a regular basis. People taking any type of blood thinning medications should consult their doctor about taking omega-3 fatty acids supplements, because taking both together can increase the risk of internal bleeding
- Garlic and onions - both garlic and onions (but especially garlic) should be eaten every day, or as much as can be tolerated to help the open up the airways, reduce inflammation and prevent scarring
- Ginger - fresh ginger should be used as much as can be tolerated in cooking to help the open up the airways, reduce inflammation and prevent scarring
- Limit intake of processed foods - this includes all soft drinks, all canned and processed meats (from the deli), processed cheeses, instant soup, ice cream, toppings, puddings, cakes, pizza, take-away food, which can trigger symptoms in some people with asbestosis, mainly due to the additives, high fat content and high sugar content which increase inflammatory symptoms
Lifestyle modifications
There are some lifestyle modifications that can be implemented to reduce symptoms:
- Meditation and relaxation - many studies have shown that any form of meditation is a useful technique to help reduce symptoms of asbestosis and this is because meditation helps to control the mind, which ultimately helps to control and manage breathing
- Reduce stress - this one may be a little difficult to achieve, especially if stress is unavoidable, but stress really needs to be better managed to reduce further inflammation symptoms
- Stop smoking - people who have been diagnosed with asbestosis and who also smoke are advised to give up smoking, as it will continue to make symptoms worse. Smoking also greatly increases the risk of lung cancer if asbestosis has also been diagnosed
- Yoga - many people who practice yoga regularly report that they have reduced symptoms and better lung functioning (less pain and inflammation), especially if it is a yoga which uses breathing and relaxation techniques during the classes
Alternative treatments
- Acupuncture - some studies have shown that acupuncture greatly reduces symptoms associated with lung inflammation and disorders. Always see a qualified acupuncturist who has experience dealing with people that have any type of serious lung problems
Always ensure that you notify your medical practitioner of any supplements that you want to take - it may interfere with other medication or conditions you have. Confirm with your doctor it is safe to take BEFORE you try it.
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< 9: conventional treatment 11: living with asbestosis > Last reviewed: 27 October 2007 || Last updated: 15 March 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
