Berylliosis

Definition

Definition of Berylliosis
Berylliosis, or chronic beryllium disease (CBD), is considered to be a professional lung disease that is most classically related with beryllium mining. Further, it may also be caused by exposure to fluorescent light bulbs, which are used to contain beryllium compounds. It is an incurable disease but the symptoms of the disease may be cured.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Berylliosis
This disease attack Respiratory system symptoms in acute cases and pulmonary granulomas in chronic cases with prolonged exposure. Further, Breathing difficulty, Chest pain, Fatigue, Neck rash beryllium allergy and Arm rash beryllium allergy are some of the other symptoms of the disease.

1. Coughing in chronic cases with prolonged exposure
2. Hemoptysis in chronic cases with prolonged exposure
3. Weight loss
4. Allergic skin rash beryllium allergy
5. Face rash beryllium allergy
6. Hand rash beryllium allergy
7. nlarged lymph nodes beryllium allergy
8. Cyanosis in chronic cases with prolonged exposure
9. Fever in chronic cases with prolonged exposure
10. Orthopnea in chronic cases with prolonged exposure
11. Clubbed fingernails in chronic cases with prolonged exposure
12. Corneal lesions in chronic cases with prolonged exposure

Causes

Causes of Berylliosis
Industrial workers involved in manufacturing or processing of Aircraft brakes, Aircraft engines, Aircraft landing gear, Bearings, Ceramics, Gears, Laser tubes, Spark plugs, Turbines, Welding electrodes as well as those working in Nuclear power plants, Oil Refineries, and Natural Gas industries are at an increased risk of developing Beryllium Exposure Disease or Berylliosis. Acute Beryllium Exposure Disease or Acute Chemical Pneumonitis now rarely occurs, primarily due to better working conditions in the modern beryllium processing plants.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Berylliosis
Some of the tests that are mandatory depending upon the seriousness of disease are described below:

1. CBC
2. Platelet count
3. Sedimentation rate
4. Chemistry panel
5. Febrile agglutinins
6. Serum haptoglobins
7. Ana test
8. Monospot tests
9. Serum protein electrophoresis
10. Tuberculin test
11. Chest x-ray
12. EKG, and flat plate of the abdomen

Prognosis

Prognosis of Berylliosis
Final outcome of Chronic Beryllium Disease / Berylliosis patients often varies by a great extent from one patient to the another. One on extreme, some CBD patients experience no symptoms (remain completely asymptomatic) while others are found to progressively develop debilitating respiratory failure, and possibly succumb to CBD. In most cases, some degree of pulmonary function compromise almost always occurs as the disease progresses.

Treatment

Treatment of Berylliosis
Considering that just like Sarcoidosis, Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD) / Berylliosis is also a granulomatous lung disease, the treatment for Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD) / Berylliosis is usually quite similar to the Threatment of Sarcoidosis. Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD) patients are almost always prescribed corticosteroids such as Prednisone, with some patients receiving Cytotoxic agents (such as Methotrexate). In some (end-stage) cases, lung transplantation may be considered necessary.

Prevention

Prevention of Berylliosis
Avoiding or limiting exposure to beryllium is the best way to prevent berylliosis. To do so, do the following:

1. Ensure good ventilation in work areas where there is beryllium dust or fumes.
2. Wear a respirator when doing work that could result in high beryllium exposure.
3. Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in areas where beryllium is used.
4. Do not wear street clothing when working with beryllium.
5. After working with beryllium, shower and wash your hair before changing back into street clothing.
6. If you are exposed to beryllium, consult with your doctor about the best way to proceed. You may need to have a BeLPT blood test as well as PFTs to detect any change in lung function.