WHAT IS MESOTHALMIA AND WHAT ARE ITS CAUSES?

Mesothalmia is a form of cancer affecting the malignant cells of mesothelium (a protective lining covering the internal organs). It can attack many sites in body including pleura of lungs, peritoneum of abdominal cavity and pericardium of heart.

Cause: The prime cause behind mesothalmia is asbestos. People exposed to asbestos dust or people working under asbestos for prolonged times are found to be attacked by mesothalmia most commonly. Persons dealing with these kinds of work should be well aware about preventive measures under chronic disease management of mesothalmia.

How can Mesothalmia be diagnosed? What are the symptoms of Mesothalmia?

Signs and symptoms shown by mesothalmia patients depend on the sites of attack.

Symptom shown when mesothalmia attacks different sites are listed below:

1. Pleura:  1. Pain in chest wall

                  2. Presence of fluid around lungs.

                  3. Shortness in breath

                  4. Frequent wheezing.

                  5. Fatigue.

2. Abdominal cavity:   1. Abdominal pain.

                                       2. Improper bowel functioning.

                                       3. Weight loss.

3. For severe attacks: Low blood sugar level, jaundice, blood clots in veins etc.

 Diagnosis of mesothalmia in its early stages plays a vital role in chronic disease management of mesothalmia. Diagnosis of cancerous diseases in its early stages can save the patient’s life. Identification of mesothalmia is an indeed difficult task as the symptoms shown are similar to that of many other diseases. A review of patient’s history can reveal whether the disease is mesothalmia or not. A history of exposure to asbestos for long times can increase the suspicion of mesothalmia. Disease can finally be confirmed by many tests like CT scan, chest X ray, lung function tests etc. 

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF MESOTHALMIA:

Many methods of treatment are available for chronic disease management of mesothalmia. The normal treatment methods followed in cancer are successful with mesothalmia as well. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immuno therapy etc have proved successful in treatment of mesothalmia.

Prevention of mesothalmia:

1. Avoiding use of asbestos in buildings where a large number of people work daily.

2. Using separate working dress by work men under asbestos helps in controlling spreading of disease. 

3. Factories dealing with asbestos works should be far away from densely populated regions.

 

This entry was posted on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 12:21 pm and is filed under Mesothalmia. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.