Railroad Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma or pulmonary fibrosis. Diesel fumes can also increase the risk of COPD.
Some types of interstitial diseases progress, meaning that they become worse with time. The prognosis for idiopathic lung fibrosis isn't good.
Risk Factors
Many railroad workers are at risk of developing chronic lung conditions. In particular, railroad workers who have spent their entire lives working in a workplace are frequently exposed to toxins and fumes that could cause interstitial lung diseases. Long-term exposure to toxic chemical can cause lung scarring. This makes it difficult for oxygen to flow through.
Diesel exhaust fumes are the most common cause of railroad interstitial lung disease. Diesel fumes can be extremely irritating to the lungs and can cause COPD, as well as other health issues like respiratory failure and lung cancer.
Other causes of interstitial lung diseases in railroads include smoking a lot and exposure to wood, metal or stone dust. Other risk factors include a family history of hepatitis or tuberculosis and comorbidities such as GERD (chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease) malignancy, diabetes and GERD.
A few railroad companies have failed to warn their employees about the dangers associated with working in railroads. This has led to an increased incidence of lung diseases like pulmonary fibroids among railroaders who are employed. Families of railroad workers who have suffered from these illnesses can bring a lawsuit against the railroad under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) for damages. This could include medical expenses as well as loss of wages as well as pain and suffering as well as other damages that result from the wrongful diagnosis.
Symptoms
A shortness of breath and a persistent dry cough are the most typical symptoms. In time, the condition can lead to other problems that make it difficult or impossible for patients to get enough oxygen. For instance, it can cause breathing problems or life-threatening complications such as heart or respiratory failure.
The most severe symptoms of railroad interstitial pulmonary disease include fatigue, clubbing in the fingers and toes and pulmonary fibrosis. This enlargement of lung tissue makes it difficult for the lungs to supply oxygen to the body. People suffering from pulmonary fibrosis may have sleep issues as well as other immune-related symptoms.
Inhaling asbestos may cause severe lung scarring, and can cause other diseases. It can cause cancers, such as mesothelioma, the most rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the chest cavity and other organs. It could also cause an inflammatory condition known as asbestosis in the lungs and other conditions, such as silicosis.
Rail yard workers are exposed to chemicals, dust and fumes from freight train equipment, as well as maintenance of tracks. Workers can recover damages from FELA lawsuits for medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses.
Diagnosis
Institial lung disease is a cause of scarring and damage to parts of the lung. The scarring affects the lung's capacity to provide oxygen to blood and other tissues. This can lead to a dry cough and fatigue if you exercise. If left untreated the damage can turn serious and life threatening.
To diagnose interstitial lung diseases, your doctor will order medical tests to look for inflammation and other issues within the lungs. These may include pulmonary function tests to test how well your lungs function, blood tests, lung biopsy and imaging tests. You'll need to provide your medical history, which includes the list of medicines you take and if you or your family members suffer from connective tissue disease or other health issues. You will need to tell your doctor if you were exposed to asbestos, metal dusts, dusts made of silica or any other fumes when working.
The exposure to toxic substances and chemicals in the workplace could cause a variety of ailments that include interstitial lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis. Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust and other fumes may increase the risk of being diagnosed with cancer, including mesothelioma. It is a cancer linked to inhaling microscopic fibers of asbestos. Contact lawsuits against union pacific railroad at Doran & Murphy if you or a family member has been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis from railroads to discuss your options.
Treatment
There are a few treatment options for interstitial lung disease (ILD) which can cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. The scarring may impact the way that your lungs absorb oxygen and move it to your body. It can cause breathing issues like pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonia and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
There is no cure for ILD, but doctors can treat the symptoms and help you maintain a normal lifestyle. They might prescribe physical therapy, oxygen supplemental or medications to help reduce your symptoms. They may also prescribe medications to slow the development of lung scarring. These include corticosteroids as well as anti-fibrotic medicines like azathioprine the cyclophosphamide drug, pirfenidone and cytotoxic drugs. Other medicines include rituximab which is used to treat autoimmune diseases.
Symptoms of interstitial lung symptoms vary for each person and can vary from mild to severe. They typically develop slowly over months or even years, and they can get worse as the damage to the lung gets worse. Shortness of breath is often the first sign of ILD. It becomes worse when you exercise or exert yourself.
Railroad workers who were exposed to dusts and fumes, including coal and diesel exhaust, may suffer from a variety of serious respiratory illnesses. These conditions can cause a severe impairment to the quality of life and make it difficult to perform and work normally. The Federal Employers Liability Act can hold railroads responsible for work-related illnesses when they fail to provide adequate ventilation and safety equipment.