Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Occupational and Environmental Exposures
Number of Conditions: 5
Silicosis
Specialty: Toxicology
Category: Chronic Toxicity and Long-Term Exposures
Sub-category: Occupational and Environmental Exposures
Symptoms:
persistent cough; shortness of breath; chest pain; fatigue; loss of appetite; fever in advanced stages
Root Cause:
Inhalation of silica dust causes inflammation, scarring, and progressive fibrosis of the lungs.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Chest X-rays, high-resolution CT scans, pulmonary function tests, and occupational history.
Treatment:
There is no cure; treatment focuses on symptom management, pulmonary rehabilitation, and avoiding further exposure. Advanced cases may require oxygen therapy or lung transplantation.
Medications:
Anti-inflammatory medications like corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone ) may be used to reduce inflammation.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common among workers in mining, construction, and sandblasting industries; globally affects millions.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Occupational exposure to silica dust, smoking, and prolonged exposure duration.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive and irreversible; prognosis depends on the stage at diagnosis. Chronic and accelerated forms have a better prognosis than acute silicosis.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and respiratory failure.
Asbestos-Related Diseases (e.g., Mesothelioma)
Specialty: Toxicology
Category: Chronic Toxicity and Long-Term Exposures
Sub-category: Occupational and Environmental Exposures
Symptoms:
shortness of breath; persistent cough; chest pain; unintended weight loss; fatigue; swelling in the abdomen (for peritoneal mesothelioma); clubbing of fingers
Root Cause:
Prolonged inhalation or ingestion of asbestos fibers causes chronic inflammation and cellular damage, leading to fibrosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Imaging tests (chest X-rays, CT scans, MRIs), pulmonary function tests, tissue biopsies, and biomarker analysis.
Treatment:
Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and palliative care for symptom management.
Medications:
Chemotherapy drugs such as pemetrexed (an antifolate) combined with cisplatin (a platinum-based compound ) are commonly prescribed. Other medications may include bevacizumab (an angiogenesis inhibitor).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare but more common among individuals with prolonged occupational asbestos exposure; latency period can span decades.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Occupational exposure (construction, shipbuilding, insulation), environmental exposure, smoking (increases risk of lung cancer but not mesothelioma).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Poor for mesothelioma (median survival ~12–21 months after diagnosis); better for asbestos-related lung fibrosis if exposure ceases.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Respiratory failure, lung infections, secondary malignancies.
Pesticide Poisoning (Chronic Exposure)
Specialty: Toxicology
Category: Chronic Toxicity and Long-Term Exposures
Sub-category: Occupational and Environmental Exposures
Symptoms:
headache; nausea; fatigue; memory loss; mood changes; peripheral neuropathy; respiratory issues; dermatitis
Root Cause:
Chronic exposure to pesticides leads to bioaccumulation, oxidative stress, and neurotoxicity, potentially affecting multiple organ systems.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Patient history, blood/urine analysis for pesticide metabolites, and neurological assessments.
Treatment:
Removing the source of exposure, supportive care, antioxidant therapy, and chelation therapy in some cases.
Medications:
Atropine (an anticholinergic) and pralidoxime (a cholinesterase reactivator) are used for organophosphate poisoning. Antioxidants like vitamin E and N-acetylcysteine may mitigate oxidative damage.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Prevalent among agricultural workers and individuals in areas of high pesticide use.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Occupational exposure, inadequate protective equipment, and prolonged exposure.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies based on severity and duration of exposure; long-term effects can include neurological deficits and chronic respiratory conditions.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Neurological disorders, endocrine disruption, infertility, and cancer.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Exposure
Specialty: Toxicology
Category: Chronic Toxicity and Long-Term Exposures
Sub-category: Occupational and Environmental Exposures
Symptoms:
skin irritation; respiratory issues; fatigue; headache; nausea; chronic cough
Root Cause:
Bioactivation of PAHs into reactive metabolites causes DNA damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Biomonitoring of PAHs metabolites in urine or blood, occupational and environmental history, and imaging studies for organ-specific symptoms.
Treatment:
Avoiding exposure, dietary antioxidants, symptomatic treatment, and monitoring for cancer development.
Medications:
No specific medications; supportive care and antioxidants like vitamin C and glutathione precursors may help reduce oxidative damage.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common among industrial workers, smokers, and those living in polluted environments.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Exposure to combustion products, industrial processes, smoking, and dietary intake of charred foods.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Chronic exposure increases cancer risk (lung, skin, bladder). Early cessation of exposure improves outcomes.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and immune dysfunction.
Solvent Toxicity (e.g., Benzene, Toluene)
Specialty: Toxicology
Category: Chronic Toxicity and Long-Term Exposures
Sub-category: Occupational and Environmental Exposures
Symptoms:
headache; dizziness; confusion; memory loss; nausea; fatigue; respiratory distress; skin irritation
Root Cause:
Prolonged exposure to solvents causes central nervous system depression, bone marrow suppression, and organ toxicity.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests for solvent levels or metabolites, bone marrow biopsy, and neurological assessments.
Treatment:
Avoidance of exposure, supportive care, and treating complications (e.g., bone marrow suppression).
Medications:
Chelating agents like dimercaprol or succimer may be used for heavy solvent exposure with metal components. Symptomatic treatments include antiemetics for nausea or anxiolytics for agitation.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Found in industrial settings (painting, printing, chemical production); exposure is common globally.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Occupational exposure, inadequate ventilation, improper handling of solvents.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies with exposure level; chronic exposure may lead to irreversible organ damage or cancer.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Leukemia (benzene exposure), kidney or liver damage, and neurological disorders.