Living with Silicosis
A lung disease caused by breathing in silica dust, most often in people who work with stone, sand or mining.
Understanding Silicosis
There are three types. Simple chronic silicosis may cause difficulty breathing. A faster type brings lung swelling and other symptoms more quickly. Acute silicosis follows short-term exposure to large amounts of dust. The lungs become inflamed and can fill with fluid, causing severe shortness of breath and low oxygen levels. Cough, weight loss and tiredness may also occur. People who work in mining, quarrying, construction, sand blasting or stone cutting are at risk.
Signs & symptoms
GARD doesn't list a full symptom list for this condition. Based on its summary, symptoms include:
- Trouble breathing
- Severe shortness of breath
- Low blood oxygen
- Cough
- Weight loss
- Tiredness
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with American Lung Association
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says silicosis is caused by breathing in silica dust, often through work in mining, quarrying, construction, sand blasting or stone cutting.
Also known as: accelerated silicosis; acute silicosis; chronic silicosis; experimental silicosis; nodular silicosis; pneumoconiosis caused by silica
Patient organizations
- American Lung AssociationSilicosis · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Silicosis.
Explore research for Silicosis
Explore actively recruiting Silicosis studies with HealthSpark.
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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