Silicosis medical therapy
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Silicosis Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Silicosis medical therapy On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Silicosis medical therapy |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Silicosis medical therapy |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Silicosis is an irreversible condition with no cure. Treatment options currently focus on alleviating the symptoms and preventing complications.
Medical Therapy
- Stopping further exposure to silica and other lung irritants, including tobacco smoking.
- Cough suppressants.
- Antibiotics and antitubercular agents to prevent tuberculosis. These include isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide.
- Chest physiotherapy to help the bronchial drainage of mucus.
- Oxygen administration to avoid hypoxemia.
- Bronchodilators to facilitate breathing.
- Lung transplantation to replace the damaged lung tissue is the most effective treatment, but is associated with severe risks of its own.