Treatment of Silicosis

How is Silicosis Treated?

Unfortunately for those suffering with Silicosis and those who care for them, there is currently no cure available; prevention is the greatest weapon in the fight against it, but there are a range of treatments out there that can reduce some of the symptoms and increase the quality of life of the sufferer.

Step number one is to stop any further exposure to the silica dust that causes the issues in the first place. Stopping any further dust or other irritants getting into the airways can reduce the risk of ongoing issues, and so stopping smoking is a critical factor in reducing the damage.

Cough Suppressants such as cough medicine or even lozenges can help reduce the cough which is so commonly associated with the condition. Frequent coughing can lead to other issues so alleviating that aspect can make a difference to the sufferer’s quality of life.

While an annual flu inoculation will not reduce the Silicosis, it can help to reduce the risk of getting the flu which can often feature additional chest and breathing difficulties.

If the lungs have become infected, then antibiotics might be the best way to fight the infection.

Oxygen therapy can be a suitable way to help the patient to breathe more effectively and this can be performed at home or in a hospital or clinic setting, depending on the needs of the patient.

Bronchodilators are a range of drugs which can help the lungs to function more efficiently by allowing more oxygen into the bloodstream. In cases where the scarring of the lungs has made breathing more difficult, these drugs can make a big difference to the patient by allowing them to breathe more easily, hence reducing the effects of oxygen depletion.

In some cases Acute Silicosis can be treated with steroids; either taken orally in tablet form, or sometimes dispensed through an inhaler.

Chest physiotherapy can help sufferers to improve their breathing through performing a range of exercises that help to expand and strengthen the lungs.

In very severe cases a lung transplant may be a last resort, but this will only be undertaken in extreme cases, and even then only if the prognosis balances the potential benefits with the risks of the surgery.

As with many other lung conditions, the management and treatment of the disease will rely on a multi-disciplinary team of people with different specialisms to control symptoms and try to increase the length and quality of life for the sufferer. There are a few experimental treatments that are being tested including Corticosteroid treatments and even Chinese Medicinal herbs, but until a cure is found, ultimately the condition will lead to serious decrease in life-expectancy. 

Contact us today for free, no obligation advice regarding your Silicosis claim – either by calling us free on 0800 999 1875, or by requesting a free call back, whereby one of our team will contact you at a time of your choice, to discuss your situation.

We’re here to help – contact us today.