Mineral dust airway disease

Mineral dust airway disease
Specialty	Pulmonology

Mineral dust airway disease is a general term used to describe complications due to inhaled mineral dust causing fibrosis and narrowing of primarily the respiratory bronchioles.[1] It is a part of a group of disorders known as pneumoconioses which is characterized by inhaled mineral dust and the effects on the lungs.[2]

Types

The three main types of pneumoconioses are Asbestosis (caused by inhaling asbestos), Silicosis (caused by inhaling silica), and Coal Workers pneumoconioses A.K.A Black Lung (caused by inhaling coal dust).[3] There are other forms called Mixed Dust pneumoconioses (caused by inhaling more than one mineral) and Byssinosis (caused by inhaling cotton dust).[3] These two forms are less common and doctors do not often encounter them. Other forms can develop from inhaling a number of different minerals including but not limited to; aluminum, antimony, barium, graphite, iron, kaolin, mica, and talc.[3]

Symptoms and signs

Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Coughing.[4]

Causes

Breathing in or inhaling inorganic dust.[4]

Diagnosis

Chest X-ray, CT scan of the chest, Pulmonary function tests.[4]

References

1. Ryu, JH; Myers, JL; Swensen, SJ (2003-12-01). "Bronchiolar disorders". American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 168 (11): 1277–92. doi:10.1164/rccm.200301-053SO. PMID 14644923.
2. Tsai, Willis; Morgan, Keith (1996). "The pneumoconioses". Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 2/2 (2): 116–120. doi:10.1097/00063198-199603000-00007. ISSN 1070-5287. PMID 9363126.
3. "CDC - Pneumoconioses - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic". www.cdc.gov. 7 November 2018.
4. "Rheumatoid pneumoconiosis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". medlineplus.gov.