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Causes and risk factors?
Coal dust can irritate the sensitive tissues of the lung and lead to the development of diseases such as pneumoconiosis, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Pneumoconiosis: Otherwise known as black lung disease, pneumoconiosis comes in two forms. The simple form is not usually disabling, but the complicated form usually does lead to disability.
The complicated form of the disease can lead to:
The risk of developing the disease is related to the duration and extent of exposure to the coal dust. Most affected workers are over the age of 50. The incidence is 6 out of 100,000 people.
Smoking does not increase the prevalence of pneumoconiosis, but, because it can damage lung function, it may exacerbate the symptoms of the disease.
Emphysema: Emphysema is a condition in which there is over-inflation of structures in the lungs known as alveoli or air sacs. This over-inflation results from a breakdown of the walls of the alveoli, and reduces the ability of the lungs to function properly. It is part of a range of lung conditions, now known as ‘Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease’ (COPD).
Miners are not the only group at risk of developing emphysema; the most common cause is smoking. It is estimated that smoking from late teens to past 35 years of age will result in permanent lung damage in a significant number of smokers.
The disease is sparked by a change in the balance of the chemicals which regulate the expansion and contraction of the lungs during breathing. When this balance is altered, the lungs lose the ability to protect themselves against the destruction of the elastic fibres which control the breathing movements. The chemical balance can be disrupted by a number of agents, including coal dust and cigarette smoke.
Emphysema can also be inherited. In these cases, sufferers are born with a deficiency of a protein crucial to proper lung function.
Chronic Bronchitis: Cigarette smoke and coal dust has been associated with irritating the airways, causing them to narrow and paralyzing the cilia. Those who quit smoking find that chronic bronchitis is lessened after a while.
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Symptoms
Pneumoconiosis
The risk of developing the disease is related to the duration and extent of exposure to the coal dust.
Most affected workers are over the age of 50. The incidence is 6 out of 100,000 people.
Top
Emphysema
About half of those who suffer from emphysema find that it restricts their ability to carry out their normal daily activities. Complications can lead to heart disease.
Emphysema begins with the destruction of air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs where oxygen from the air is exchanged for carbon dioxide in the blood. The walls of the air sacs are thin and fragile. Damage to the air sacs is irreversible and results in permanent "holes" in the tissues of the lower lungs. As air sacs are destroyed, the lungs are able to transfer less and less oxygen to the bloodstream, causing shortness of breath. The lungs also lose their elasticity. The patient experiences great difficulty exhaling.
Top
Chronic bronchitis:
People with chronic bronchitis suffer from long-term mucus production and coughing continuing for months and returning each year, lasting longer each time. The airways have become narrowed and partly clogged with mucus that is not moving along as it should, propelled by minute hairs called cilia.
Simple chronic bronchitis is defined as over production of mucus, associated with coughing, for at least 2 years and the cough lasting for most days for three months. As the condition progresses due to further exposure to risk factors such as mining dust, the bronchitis becomes chronic and eventually the lungs become obstructed due to damage, resulting in chronic obstructive bronchitis.
Chronic bronchitis can progress to emphysema.
Top
Treatment and prevention
Pneumoconiosis: is detected by chest X-rays and by testing the function of the lungs. There is no specific treatment for this disorder other than treatment of complications. Avoidance of further exposure to coal dust is recommended.
The way to prevent the disease is to minimise the amount of coal dust breathed in by mine workers. This can be done by using protective masks, and by strictly controlling maximum permitted dust levels in occupational settings.
Emphysema: The aim of treatment is to help sufferers live more comfortably with the disease, and to prevent progression with a minimum of side effects. Bronchodilator drugs can be used to relax and open air passages in the lungs. Patients are also recommended to undertake exercises to strengthen the muscles used in the breathing process.
They should also maintain overall good health habits, such as good diet and adequate sleep to build up resistance to infections which may exacerbate the symptoms of emphysema. In some extreme cases, the most severely diseased portions of the lung can be removed by surgery to allow the remaining lung and breathing muscles to work better.
Chronic Bronchitis: Chronic bronchitis is treated with bronchodilators delivered through an inhaler. The role of steroids is still not clear, although often offered. Oxygen may also be administered where tests, usually hospital based, have shown this will benefit. Exercise programmes are also helpful, to improve general fitness and lung capacity.
Antibiotics may be prescribed to check bacterial infections.
Not smoking and avoiding air pollution are the best ways to prevent chronic bronchitis.
Coal dust can irritate the sensitive tissues of the lung and lead to the development of diseases such as pneumoconiosis, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Pneumoconiosis: Otherwise known as black lung disease, pneumoconiosis comes in two forms. The simple form is not usually disabling, but the complicated form usually does lead to disability.
The complicated form of the disease can lead to:
- Failure of the right side of the heart (cor pulmonale)
- Pulmonary tuberculosis
The risk of developing the disease is related to the duration and extent of exposure to the coal dust. Most affected workers are over the age of 50. The incidence is 6 out of 100,000 people.
Smoking does not increase the prevalence of pneumoconiosis, but, because it can damage lung function, it may exacerbate the symptoms of the disease.
Emphysema: Emphysema is a condition in which there is over-inflation of structures in the lungs known as alveoli or air sacs. This over-inflation results from a breakdown of the walls of the alveoli, and reduces the ability of the lungs to function properly. It is part of a range of lung conditions, now known as ‘Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease’ (COPD).
Miners are not the only group at risk of developing emphysema; the most common cause is smoking. It is estimated that smoking from late teens to past 35 years of age will result in permanent lung damage in a significant number of smokers.
The disease is sparked by a change in the balance of the chemicals which regulate the expansion and contraction of the lungs during breathing. When this balance is altered, the lungs lose the ability to protect themselves against the destruction of the elastic fibres which control the breathing movements. The chemical balance can be disrupted by a number of agents, including coal dust and cigarette smoke.
Emphysema can also be inherited. In these cases, sufferers are born with a deficiency of a protein crucial to proper lung function.
Chronic Bronchitis: Cigarette smoke and coal dust has been associated with irritating the airways, causing them to narrow and paralyzing the cilia. Those who quit smoking find that chronic bronchitis is lessened after a while.
Top
Symptoms
Pneumoconiosis
- Shortness of breath
- Chronic cough
The risk of developing the disease is related to the duration and extent of exposure to the coal dust.
Most affected workers are over the age of 50. The incidence is 6 out of 100,000 people.
Top
Emphysema
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
About half of those who suffer from emphysema find that it restricts their ability to carry out their normal daily activities. Complications can lead to heart disease.
Emphysema begins with the destruction of air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs where oxygen from the air is exchanged for carbon dioxide in the blood. The walls of the air sacs are thin and fragile. Damage to the air sacs is irreversible and results in permanent "holes" in the tissues of the lower lungs. As air sacs are destroyed, the lungs are able to transfer less and less oxygen to the bloodstream, causing shortness of breath. The lungs also lose their elasticity. The patient experiences great difficulty exhaling.
Top
Chronic bronchitis:
People with chronic bronchitis suffer from long-term mucus production and coughing continuing for months and returning each year, lasting longer each time. The airways have become narrowed and partly clogged with mucus that is not moving along as it should, propelled by minute hairs called cilia.
Simple chronic bronchitis is defined as over production of mucus, associated with coughing, for at least 2 years and the cough lasting for most days for three months. As the condition progresses due to further exposure to risk factors such as mining dust, the bronchitis becomes chronic and eventually the lungs become obstructed due to damage, resulting in chronic obstructive bronchitis.
Chronic bronchitis can progress to emphysema.
Top
Treatment and prevention
Pneumoconiosis: is detected by chest X-rays and by testing the function of the lungs. There is no specific treatment for this disorder other than treatment of complications. Avoidance of further exposure to coal dust is recommended.
The way to prevent the disease is to minimise the amount of coal dust breathed in by mine workers. This can be done by using protective masks, and by strictly controlling maximum permitted dust levels in occupational settings.
Emphysema: The aim of treatment is to help sufferers live more comfortably with the disease, and to prevent progression with a minimum of side effects. Bronchodilator drugs can be used to relax and open air passages in the lungs. Patients are also recommended to undertake exercises to strengthen the muscles used in the breathing process.
They should also maintain overall good health habits, such as good diet and adequate sleep to build up resistance to infections which may exacerbate the symptoms of emphysema. In some extreme cases, the most severely diseased portions of the lung can be removed by surgery to allow the remaining lung and breathing muscles to work better.
Chronic Bronchitis: Chronic bronchitis is treated with bronchodilators delivered through an inhaler. The role of steroids is still not clear, although often offered. Oxygen may also be administered where tests, usually hospital based, have shown this will benefit. Exercise programmes are also helpful, to improve general fitness and lung capacity.
Antibiotics may be prescribed to check bacterial infections.
Not smoking and avoiding air pollution are the best ways to prevent chronic bronchitis.