Mesothelioma is a disease typically caused due to prolonged exposure to asbestos and can be present in multiple parts of the body. Can you spot the symptoms of mesothelioma? Sometimes in the early stages, the symptoms can be hard to spot, but it’s important to catch the disease as quickly as possible so you can get proper treatments.
Here are a few of the most common symptoms of mesothelioma.
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1. Unusual Pains
Mesothelioma of the chest typically causes inexplicable pains in your lower back as well as the side of your chest. These pains together are a rather unusual combination, and are in unusual spots, as chest pains associated with heartburn are usually in the chest, and most people know the cause of their persistent back pain. Pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the heart, can also cause chest pain, as well as cardiovascular issues such as arrhythmia and heart murmurs.
Peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects parts of the digestive system, tends to cause pain in the stomach and abdomen area. Other gastrointestinal issues such as constipation and diarrhea are also fairly common and can be the causes of additional pain.
2. Pulmonary Discomfort
A persistent cough as well as shortness of breath are two other telltale signs of mesothelioma. The cough is typically dry and doesn’t go away with any types of medicine or home treatments, and can sometimes cause the patient to cough up blood. These signs are also indicative of pleural mesothelioma – mesothelioma in the chest – and are sure to make a non-asthmatic person seek medical attention quickly.
Another pulmonary issue associated with mesothelioma of the chest is inexplicable hoarseness and wheezing. These issues, just like others, are chronic and will not resolve on their own until the mesothelioma has been treated.
3. Swelling
Another symptom of various forms of mesothelioma is swelling. Swelling in parts of the body such as the abdomen is extremely common with peritoneal mesothelioma, and pleural as well as peritoneal mesothelioma can make the patient feel as if their throat is tight. Issues swallowing is commonly associated with mesothelioma as well, as is a feeling of tightness in the chest that prevents one from taking a full breath.
4. Less Noticeable Symptoms
Some symptoms of mesothelioma are less alarming than the ones listed above and can be confused with symptoms of the flu or common cold. Some of the symptoms that those exposed to asbestos need to keep an eye out for are fevers, nausea, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue.
If you or someone you know has been exposed to asbestos, keep an eye out for these mesothelioma symptoms, and get medical attention right away if you think you have the disease.
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