Why Combining Smoking and Asbestos is Harmful
Lung function is essential to the survival of all human beings. Once this function is tampered with, it is often difficult to reverse the negative effects. Treatment is almost impossible once complications arise. The biggest complication with asbestos related illnesses is if the patient smokes cigarettes. Nicotine and tar do not function well with the already compromised lung tissue and lining. Asbestos is unable to be broken down by a person's organ. Nicotine and tar do not help the situation.
Nevertheless, developing an illness such as mesothelioma or asbestosis can take a toll on a person emotionally, physically and mentally. Often times, people turn to cigarettes to ease their anxiety and calm their nervous tendencies. Other times, people use cigarettes because of their lifelong addiction. With asbestos, no one knew the adverse side effects over thirty years ago, but it is more than likely that people did know the side effects from smoking. Sadly enough, many people who have lung-related issues or cancers do not stop smoking as their condition worsens.
Cigarettes, along with asbestos contained materials, have chemicals and poisons that are harmful to the human body. Other than the havoc it causes on the functioning of the lungs, asbestos and cigarettes also affect other similar areas. The heart, for instance, can be damaged very severely in both of these instances. Smoking is one of the leading causes of heart disease, heart attacks and other abnormalities. Pericardial mesothelioma is a condition caused by asbestos exposure. It causes the heart to become scarred and damaged, leaving a minimal survival rate.
Since the side effects and diseases of both smoking asbestos inhalation show up in later stages of life, diagnosis and treatment are nearly impossible. There is no cure. It is incumbent upon patients with life-long smoking habits or possible asbestos exposure to see their physicians for prompt diagnosis. Palliative treatment is available.
