At first, these symptoms are provoked only by activity, but eventually they are present even at rest. The breathing difficulty is usually accompanied by a productive cough. Indications for treatment are increasing shortness of breath and productive cough. Treatment for asbestosis is supportive and involves removal from exposure to the offending agent. Cigarette smoking tremendously increases the risk of lung cancer in asbestosis patients.
Smoking also interferes with clearance of asbestos particles from the lung.
Asbestosis is a sporadic disorder. Not everyone who inhales asbestos fibers will develop symptoms of the disease. In those who do, the overall disease process is not as aggressive and damaging as Silicosis, but it is still progressive. The average survival rate for patients with asbestosis is 20 years since the disease is more debilitating than it is fatal. Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhalation of silica.