Chronic berylliosis
Chronic berylliosis Definition
Chronic Berylliosis is the inflammation of the lungs due to inhaling fumes or dust contaning the element beryllium. This metal can be found in coal, soil and volcanic dust and is used in manufacturing and aerospace industries. This disease may appear even after 20 years after exposure to the said element.
Chronic berylliosis Diagnosis
Patients suffering from the above mentioned symptoms are suspected to have chronic berylliosis if they are found to have a history of exposure to beryllium. Chest X-rays show changes in lung appearance and activity. The patient also undergoes a kind of blood test called beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test which detects beryllium sensitivity. When test results show a high level of beryllium sensitivity, BeLPT is then done on the cells washed out from the lungs.
Chronic berylliosis Symptoms and Signs
People with chronic berylliosis commonly experience problems such as shortness of breath, rapid weight loss and pale skin and eyes. This disease is an allergic reaction to exposure to beryllium materials. It causes lung tissue malformations as well as enlargement of the lymph nodes. Patients with chronic berylliosis are sickly, and the disease remains with them for the rest of their lives. Beryllium dust when inhaled form granulomas, or small inflammatory nodules in the lungs. These granulomas decrease the lungs' diffusion capacity leading to deformities in the said organ.
Chronic berylliosis Treatment
Chronic berylliosis is incurable. Therapies such as corticosteroid therapy are prescribed, but steroids are not guaranteed to reverse the activity of the disease. Removing beryllium particles from the lungs is a slow and difficult process, not to mention expensive. Chelation therapy meanwhile is still under research as a treatment for chronic berylliosis.