Silicosis is an irreversible fibrosis of the lungs caused by repeated inhalation of inorganic dust over a long period of time at work. The clinical manifestations of silicosis patients are mainly atypical symptoms such as chest tightness, chest pain and cough.
Silicosis is mainly caused by silica crystals with a diameter of less than 5 μm, which are phagocytosed and processed by macrophages to release silica-containing particles. Silica-containing particles and fibrosis factors released by macrophages cause fibrous hyperplasia of the lungs, forming fibrous nodules or diffuse fibrosis.
In the early stage, patients may have no obvious symptoms, while in the late stage, emphysema, pulmonary heart disease and other complications may occur, resulting in chest tightness, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, coughing up sputum, dyspnea and other manifestations.
The symptoms of silicosis are not typical, and it is recommended that people with occupational exposure history such as mining, quarrying, tunnel digging, blasting, stone rolling, crushing, glass manufacturing, etc., should consult a doctor as soon as possible and follow the doctor’s instructions for regular treatment.