Symptoms of Mesothelioma

The symptoms of mesothelioma can be quite elusive. Many doctors do not recognize the symptoms of mesothelioma because they mimic other illnesses. Mesothelioma is a very rare disease that can take 20 to 40 years to develop after exposure to asbestos. There are also several forms of mesothelioma.

Normally doctors will do a thorough background of the patient to find out if there was any asbestos exposure. Some patients may not know that they were exposed to asbestos.

The symptoms may include:

shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

coughing

pain in the chest or abdomen

fluid in the chest, lungs or abdomen

weight loss

loss of appetite

inability to sleep

husky voice

difficulty swallowing

Could I have Mesothelioma and Not Know It?

Could I have Mesothelioma and Not Know It?

Many people are scared after seeing numerous mesothelioma commercials about the disease and they are beginning to wonder if they could possibly have mesothelioma and not know it.

Generally, the answer is yes. It is possible to have the lung disease mesothelioma and not know it. Mesothelioma is developed after being exposed to asbestos. The exposure may have been many years ago. It is also possible that you were unaware that you were exposed to asbestos.

Asbestos exposure may have occured at a job or in the home for as little as two months. Signs or symptoms of mesothelioma may not occur for 30-40 years later.

People that were exposed in the 1940's, 1950's, 1960's and 1970's are just now showing signs of mesothelioma and being diagnosed because of the long latency period of the disease.

Some people have no symptoms at all or their symptoms resemble other illnesses which prolongs their diagnosis. Symptoms may included signs that appear to be pneumonia, shortness of breath, chest pain and persistent cough.

If you were exposed to asbestos or think that you were exposed to asbestos contact a doctor immediately because you could have mesothelioma and not know it.