The human body has internally built shields that protect the organs functioning within. This is important in order that the internal organs are not easily damaged or ruptured from any bodily movement. Most people are familiar with how the skull works, which is to care for your brain from suffering injuries during a blow to this part of your body. You may not know it but a thin tissue or sac envelops majority of the internal organs of the body, which is referred to as mesothelium. This protective covering plays a crucial role in taking care of your fragile body parts.
Mesothelioma is the disease that affects the mesothelium. There may be instances when the cells making up the mesothelium break up abnormally or divide uncontrollably. This cell division involved in mesothelioma can cause damage to other tissues including the different organs in the system. This is due to the fact that the abnormal cells can spread or move to the various parts of the body. Medical practitioners have called mesothelioma as a type of cancer of the mesothelium. It has been identified that the peritoneum, which is the mesothelium covering the abdominal cavity is the most common form of mesothelioma and contributes roughly 10% to 20% of the reported cases. Other kinds of mesothelioma involve the lungs (pleural), the heart (pericardium) and the testicles (tunica vaginalis).
Although considered a cancer, mesothelioma occurs quite rarely. In the United States, records reveal that about 2,000 to 3,000 people have been known to suffer from mesothelioma. This particular illness has been directly linked with exposure to asbestos, with a high 70& to 80% of the incidence of mesothelioma tied to this toxic mineral. However, there are persons afflicted with mesothelioma who have not been subjected to any element containing asbestos. The inhalation of asbestos fibers triggers a mutation process among the healthy cells comprising the mesothelium. Those workers engaged in mining and manufacturing task are more prone to face mesothelioma.
The signs and symptoms associated to those people that have mesothelioma would differ on what part of the body has been diagnosed with the abnormal cells. Difficult breathing, chest pains, breath shortage and dry cough are just some of the warning signs of pleural mesothelioma. Pain and swelling of your stomach are indicators of a peritoneal mesothelioma. In case the distressed area is not among those that are normally detected, but you know that you have undergone prolonged asbestos exposure and for as long as you feel a certain level of pain and have a hard time swallowing, then you ought to seek medical help immediately.