Diagnosis of Illnesses Associated with Silica Dust Exposure

How Are Illnesses Associated With Silica Dust Exposure Diagnosed?

There are a range of different ways that illnesses associated with the inhalation of silica dust can be diagnosed, but the most important part will often involve the doctor or medical professional being made aware of a patient’s exposure to the dust in the first place.

If you visit your doctor displaying symptoms of lung disease, he or she is likely to carry out or arrange a variety of tests including:

Lung Tests

There are two main ways of testing how your lungs are functioning:

Spirometry – this involves breathing deeply and exhaling as hard as you can in to a machine called a spirometer. While the test is being carried out, the doctor will administer a bronchodilator drug to open the airways, and if the breathing is significantly better after the drug has been taken then it is likely that you are suffering from lung disease.

Peak Flow Measurement – this measures the amount of air that you can breathe in and out. In most cases those who inhale or exhale weakly are likely to be suffering from some form of lung disease. In some cases this test can be carried out regularly so as to identify times or locations at which breathing is most difficult. If breathing is most laboured at work it is likely that something in the air there is contributing to the issues.

Allergy Tests

In order to ascertain if someone is allergic to specific substances, a Challenge Test involves the patient inhaling a small amount of the suspected allergen – in this case silica dust. If the lung function decreases when the allergen is presented it usually displays that an allergic reaction is taking place.

X-rays

A chest X-ray can help doctor see within the body and can help to establish whether lungs appear damaged or are containing fluid. 

CT Scans (Computerised Tomography) 

CT scans can show more detail than traditional X-rays and can often be used to identify the distinctive patterns that develop on the lungs in cases of silicosis.

Biopsy

If lung disease is suspected, a doctor might take a sample of lung tissue from the patient so that it can be sent to a laboratory and tested. 

Questions about work history

No matter what symptoms you might be displaying, it is critical if you have any suspicion that your illness may have been caused by the inhalation of silica dust that you tell the doctor. If they are made aware of the potential risk, they can perform the most appropriate tests, with a view to getting a swift diagnosis and putting a treatment plan into place as soon as possible. 

If you or someone you care for has developed any illness as a result of inhaling silica dust during work, then it is likely that you will be eligible to make a claim for compensation. 

Contact us today for free, no obligation advice regarding your Silica Dust Exposure claim – either by calling us free on 0800 028 2060, or by requesting a free call back, whereby one of our team will contact you at a time of your choosing to discuss your situation. When you contact us you are under no obligation to continue with the case unless you wish to do so.

We’re here to help – contact us today.