RESPIRATORY

PATHOLOG
Y
Malek Ramiz [21-12]
TOPIC:
SILICOSIS
What is SILICOSIS?
•Silicosis is a long-term lung disease caused by
inhaling unsafe levels of silica dust, usually
over a period of many years.

•People who work with certain materials may

inhale a very fine dust that contains silica.
Once inside the lungs, the dust particles can
scar the lungs. This scarring is known as
silicosis.

•Silicosis can lead to breathing problems, a

serious lung condition called Progressive
Massive Fibrosis (PMF), or lung cancer. There is
no cure for silicosis and it can be fatal
 Types of SILICOSIS
The 3 common types of silicosis are:

• chronic silicosis — exposure to silica

dust for more than 10 years
• accelerated silicosis — exposure to
silica dust for 3 to 10 years
• acute silicosis — develops within weeks
or months of exposure to silica dust
• All 3 types affect you in the same way.
The difference is how long it takes for
problems to develop.
SYMPTOMS
DIAGNOSIS
How SILICOSIS can be treated?
There’s no cure for silicosis right now. Treatments can help
you manage your symptoms.

- Medications
- Inhaled steroids reduce lung mucus.
- Bronchodilators help relax your breathing passages.
- Oxygen therapy
This small, portable tank gives you extra oxygen to help
reduce fatigue
- Lung transplant surgery
One major lifestyle change can help you manage this disease:
-Stop smoking: It’s dangerous if you have silicosis. It makes
your lung damage even worse. Get help to quit. Avoid
secondhand smoke and areas with a lot of dust, air pollution,
and allergens if you can.
REFERENCES:
• https://www.webmd.com/lung/what-is-silicosis

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicosis

• https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/silicosis

•https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/professional/pulmonary-
disorders/environmental-pulmonary-diseases/silicosis

• https://www.tshiamisotrust.com/information/silicosis-tb/

•https://www.osha-pros.com/hazards-in-the-workpace/silica-risks-and-
prevention-infographic/
THANK YOU
For your
Attention