Patient's question:
Recently, I've been experiencing chest pain and tightness in my chest. The hospital examination indicated a respiratory disease, but the medication hasn't been very effective. Recently, my cough has worsened. Could you please explain what occupational disease silicosis is?Doctor's answer:
Silicosis, a occupational disease, is caused by repeatedly inhaling silica dust in places with high concentrations of silica dust in the past through the respiratory tract, leading to the deposition of silica dust particles in the alveoli. This results in severe fibrosis and pulmonary nodules in the lung tissue, significantly reducing the gas exchange area of the alveoli. The diffusion of oxygen through the blood-gas barrier is impaired, causing patients to remain in a state of persistent hypoxia. This disease is irreversible, and it is essential to escape the severe dust pollution environment of heavy industries as early as possible.