Treating Asbestosis - Drugs
Asbestosis is a very uncomfortable disease and can become quite debilitating for the victim. That's why doctors do all they can to help ease the symptoms of the disease even though, at this time, they can offer no cure.
Some of the more common treatments for those suffering from asbestosis include the use of a variety of drugs that address various symptoms, from shortness of breath to pain. Doctors offer suggest respiratory therapy drugs not unlike those used for asthma patients. They might include bronchodilators which are either inhaled or swallowed and serve to relax and widen breathing passages to ease breathing. Some doctors also recommend aerosol medications to thin secretions.
Because avoiding infection is so important for victims of asbestosis, it's not uncommon for doctors to prescribe antibiotics immediately if an infection is detected. Since pulmonary hypertension is also a common complication of the disease, the medical professional may prescribe blood thinning medications that prevent blood clots from forming, blocking narrowed vessels.
Pain caused by the symptoms of the disease can usually be controlled by over the counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
