Pneumoconiosis is treated in the Department of Respiratory Medicine.

Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Pneumoconiosis is a relatively common occupational disease in China, which occurs in patients who have long-term exposure to occupational dust that gets inhaled into the lungs at work. The symptoms of pneumoconiosis are similar to those of other respiratory diseases, commonly including cough, expectoration, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, chest pain, etc. Lung examinations can reveal nodules and masses of varying sizes in the lungs. After contracting pneumoconiosis, which department should one visit? If there is a department for occupational diseases, then one can visit the occupational disease department. If not, it is generally advisable to visit the respiratory department.

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Written by Li Ying
Pulmonology
1min 47sec home-news-image

How is pneumoconiosis caused?

Pneumoconiosis is a systemic disease characterized by diffuse fibrotic scarring of lung tissue. It is caused by the long-term inhalation of industrial dust and dust during occupational activities, which accumulates in the lungs. Once pneumoconiosis occurs, it is irreversible and incurable for life, with a high mortality rate of up to 22%. So, who is more likely to develop pneumoconiosis? The main occupations include: First, mining activities, including coal mining, metal mining, and non-metal mining. These activities produce a large amount of dust that, when inhaled into the lungs, can cause pneumoconiosis. Second, mechanical manufacturing, specifically during the manufacturing process of metal castings. Activities such as sand mixing for casting and sand molding can lead to pneumoconiosis, particularly among welders who dominate this industry. Third, metal smelting, involving ore loading and unloading, steel casting, and alumina sintering. The primary occupations exposed include sintered pellet raw material workers, sintering workers, and blast furnace operators, all of whom come into contact with large amounts of dust. Fourth, the construction industry, for example, with materials resistant to fire such as quartz sand, glass, stone, and cement production, as well as asbestos mining. Workers in these industries are exposed to large amounts of dust. In China, the top three types of pneumoconiosis are silicosis, coal worker's pneumoconiosis, and graphite pneumoconiosis, along with those working in jade processing and welder's pneumoconiosis, which are relatively common.

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Written by Liu Jing Jing
Pulmonology
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Do people with pneumoconiosis cough at night?

Pneumoconiosis can potentially lead to coughing at night. It is caused by the inhalation of dust, resulting in changes to the lungs. Patients often exhibit symptoms such as coughing, expectoration, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, and these symptoms progressively worsen. In severe cases, complications may include pulmonary heart disease or pulmonary cerebral disease. However, coughing at night is not necessarily indicative of pneumoconiosis. Other conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, pulmonary tuberculosis, and lung tumors, may also result in nighttime coughing. Thus, it is important to visit a hospital for comprehensive diagnostics including chest CT, complete blood count, and sputum tests for tuberculosis to establish a clear diagnosis. Pneumoconiosis is an occupational disease, and visiting a local institute for occupational diseases can aid in diagnosis.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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Early symptoms of pneumoconiosis

Pneumoconiosis primarily occurs when a large amount of dust or smoke is present in the production or living environment. Long-term inhalation of such air leads to the deposition of dust and smoke particles inside the alveoli. These particles are then transported by phagocytic cells within the alveoli to the pulmonary interstitium and lymphatic vessels. This affects the normal process of gas and blood exchange in the lungs, thus leading to pneumoconiosis. In the early stages, the symptoms of pneumoconiosis are generally insidious, including cough, phlegm, and gradually worsening symptoms of breathlessness, wheezing, and chest tightness after physical activity, which can easily be confused with symptoms of the common cold or bronchitis.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Can pneumoconiosis cause coughing up blood?

Pneumoconiosis is a very common type of occupational disease, caused by many complicated factors. This disease primarily occurs because patients have been exposed to dusty environments for a long period. This disease has a very long course, with the early symptoms in patients mainly being mild coughing. Many patients do not take it seriously initially. As the condition gradually worsens, patients may develop lung infections. Subsequent symptoms become more severe, including coughing, phlegm, shortness of breath, weight loss, and decreased appetite, among others. In severe cases of infection, patients may experience intense coughing, which can lead to bleeding from the capillaries on the surface of the bronchi. Thus, people with pneumoconiosis may sometimes experience coughing up blood.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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What are the symptoms of pneumoconiosis?

Pneumoconiosis is a common occupational disease in our country, where workers often face relatively harsh environments with a significant amount of dust pollution. Continuous work in such environments can lead to the development of pneumoconiosis. What symptoms might appear after contracting pneumoconiosis? Common symptoms include coughing, phlegm production, coughing up blood, chest pain, chest tightness, and fatigue. If these symptoms occur at work, and pneumoconiosis is suspected, one should visit the local relevant departments for an occupational disease assessment.