What are the symptoms of asbestos-related diseases?

The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases primarily include persistent cough, chest pain, breathing difficulties, and weight loss. These symptoms are indicative of conditions such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, which affect the respiratory system. Asbestos fibers can cause significant damage to lung tissue when inhaled, leading to chronic inflammation and scarring (asbestosis), or can contribute to the development of malignancies. The persistent cough often arises as the lungs struggle to clear the retained fibers, chest pain may occur due to pleural involvement, breathing difficulties are a result of compromised lung function, and weight loss can be associated with systemic effects as the body responds to chronic illness.

Other options present symptoms that are not typically associated with asbestos exposure; headaches and nausea are more common with general illnesses, skin rashes and digestive issues are unrelated to asbestos-related conditions, and vision problems and fatigue do not directly link to the known effects of asbestos fibers in the body. Understanding these core symptoms is crucial for identifying at-risk individuals and initiating appropriate medical evaluation and intervention.