Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma Symptoms
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It's a disheartening fact: mesothelioma symptoms may not appear until 30 to 50 years after a person's initial asbestos exposure.  In its early stages, mesothelioma may have few symptoms and signs or none at all.  Often, victims of mesothelioma let their symptoms go unchecked for many months, believing they are just due to common ailments. This is why mesothelioma is often far advanced by the time it is diagnosed by a health professional.

Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma
The underlying cause of pleural mesothelioma symptoms is fluid in the chest cavity. As the fluid fills up the chest, it places pressure on the lungs, causing intense pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue.  It is usually around this time that people seek medical help for their symptoms. Pleural mesothelioma symptoms include one or a combination of the following:
Fluid in the chest cavity (pleural effusion)
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Fever
Weight loss
Cough




Coughing up or spitting up blood
Hoarseness
Difficulty swallowing

Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
With peritoneal mesothelioma, fluid fills up the abdomen, placing considerable pressure on vital organs. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include one or a combination of the following:
Increased abdominal girth
Fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
Abdominal pain
Elevated white blood count
Weight loss
Abdominal mass
Digestive disturbances
Fever

Both peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma symptoms can be extremely painful for the victim.  They may have trouble sleeping comfortably and often lose their appetite.  Although the symptoms associated with mesothelioma cannot always be eliminated, there are many options for reducing discomfort.  Pain management during all stages of mesothelioma is an important factor in the patient's quality of life.

If you're experiencing any of the symptoms related to mesothelioma and you have a history of exposure to asbestos, be sure to talk to your doctor.  Frequent check-ups and asbestos disease testing are vital tools for staying one step ahead of asbestos-related health problems.

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