Pneumoconiosis (Pneumoconiosis)

Pneumoconiosis is a group of lung diseases that develop as a result of human inhalation of dust. For dust particles to reach the lungs, their diameter should not exceed 0.5 microns. It usually takes quite a long time after a person's initial exposure to such particles until they develop shortness of breath and characteristic shadows appear on a chest x-ray.

The most common causes of pneumoconiosis include:

1. Inhalation of coal dust at work (miners' pneumoconiosis)
2. Inhalation of silicate dust (silicosis)
3. Inhalation of asbestos dust (asbestosis)

Thus, pneumoconiosis is usually an occupational disease associated with working in dusty conditions. Timely diagnosis and treatment of this disease are of great importance for maintaining the health of workers in dust-hazardous professions.

Pneumoconiosis (English pneumoconiosis from the Greek pnéuma - “air” + κόνιον - “dust”) is a group of occupational lung diseases caused by exposure to industrial dust of various natures (silicate, carborundum, asbestos, crystalline, organic dust). Develops under the influence of excessive inhalation of toxic chemical vapors and gases. Pneumoconiosis is manifested by a specific change in the structure and function of the lung tissue, the nature of which depends on the nature and concentration of the dust agent.

**Pneumoconiosis** is a group of chronic lung diseases that develop as a result of prolonged inhalation of various industrial and other air pollutants whose particle sizes are less than 5 micrometers. A distinctive feature of pneumoconiosis is the fact that they do not cause acute poisoning of the body in the patient, since most of the small particles enter the lungs without reaching the alveoli. Unlike these dust particles, other substances instantly enter the bloodstream, causing disease.

According to the World Health Organization, pneumoconicosis is one of the leading causes of disability and mortality among workers in the mining, metallurgical and chemical industries. They are also widespread among workers in dusty industries, ship repair shops, electroplating industries and other areas.

Pneumoconiosis usually begins in adulthood and is likely to be influenced by genetic factors. The most common are coal pneumoconiosis, caused by inhalation of fine coal and coke dust, asbestos pneumoconiosis and pneumoconiosis from silicate, which occurs when working at enterprises producing construction products from magnesite. When small dust particles enter the lungs, they cannot be eliminated by the lungs and settle in the form of small pleural nodules, which leads to their sclerosis, the formation of pulmonary emphysema and constant bronchopulmonary processes.

Pneumoconiosis is a lung disease that occurs when small dust particles and fragments of organic or inorganic compounds are inhaled. Upon contact with them, a certain energy is released and the composition of the blood changes, which causes various complications:

damage to the alveoli, compaction of connective tissue, proliferation of lung fields. The main symptom of pneumoconiosis is shortness of breath, which occurs in patients during physical exertion and staying indoors for a long time. As preventive measures, it is recommended to avoid contact with substances containing small particles, and also to use respirators when working in enterprises. The disease can lead to serious consequences, such as heart failure and emphysema, so it is necessary to seek medical help promptly.

Pneumoconiosis is a large group of diseases of a predominantly external nature, caused by prolonged inhalation of dust substances, which cause fibrosis of the lungs and the occurrence of persistent symptoms of the disease, but have not yet led to the complete loss of the patient’s ability to work. Pulmonary fibrosis has been known since ancient times. But only in the 20th century this disease was studied in more detail and named after A. Morgernstern: “pneumoconios” translated as “pleural scarring”.

In discussing the mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis, researchers have turned to studying the morphology of human changes that affect the lungs when exposed to dust. In 1917, scientists first described pseudocirrhotic changes in lung tissue due to exposure to coal dust in people working in the Australian coalfields. Since then, this discovery has spurred the development of a powerful healthcare industry, resulting in rapid advances in the diagnosis and treatment of this and other pneumoconioses.

Pneumoconiosis is commonly called a lung disease that manifests itself in the form of pneumosclerosis and is characterized by the formation of pathological branched extrapulmonary and intrapulmonary connective tissue foci detected by light microscopy.

The disease can occur under the influence of various fibrogenic factors on the human body, these include: asbestos, coal, inorganic dust and even fungal spores. Clinical manifestations. Diagnostics. Prevention According to localization, they distinguish: Lesions of the bronchi, manifested at the initial stage by shortness of breath or a feeling of lack of air during physical activity, a dry painful cough, which, in the presence of an infectious lesion, becomes purulent and is accompanied by sputum production. Changes in the pleura (pleural pneumoconiosis). It manifests itself as constant cough failure without sputum production, discomfort behind the sternum, accompanied by abdominal pain, tachycardia, and increased sweating. As the clinical picture increases, shortness of breath at night and when performing physical work is typical. Systemic changes. As the process progresses, general symptoms are observed: increased fatigue, malaise, low-grade body temperature. From the respiratory system. Radiographic signs of pneumoconiosis are manifested by areas of increased density of lung tissue associated with the bronchial wall. In addition, a decrease in organ volume due to fibrous changes and