Asbestosis, also known as diffuse pulmonary fibrosis, can take anywhere from 10-30 years to develop. That means those who are diagnosed with asbestosis may have been exposed to asbestos as much as 30 years before the disease is diagnosed.

Asbestosis is characterized by severe shortness of breath, which is generally the first symptom to appear. At first, this is only evident after exertion but may eventually happen even during rest. Other symptoms include tightness in the chest, dry cough, loss of appetite, fatigue, and � when the disease reaches an advanced stage � clubbing of the fingers.

This disease is generally diagnosed by means of a chest x-ray which can show scarring, as well as testing with more sophisticated imaging including MRIs or CT scans. If asbestosis is suspected, an open lung biopsy will most likely be performed.

If you are experiencing such symptoms and have worked with asbestos in the past, it is essential that you inform your doctor as to your history with this toxic mineral. It may help speed a diagnosis.

There is currently no cure for asbestosis but doctors can suggest treatments and other procedures that can serve to lessen its symptoms and make patients more comfortable. It is also essential that those who have asbestosis stop smoking immediately. Smokers with asbestosis are much more likely to develop mesothelioma � asbestos-caused cancer.