Berylliosis: Learn about the disease that silently affects your lungs

Do you work in a place where auto parts, computers, or electrical equipment are manufactured? Do you also experience a constant cough and difficulty breathing while working in such a place? Sometimes we forget about these things, thinking that they are normal things, caused by dust. However, behind these symptoms, there may sometimes be a more serious story that we do not think about. Today we are going to talk about a disease that can affect people who work in such industries, especially those who work in certain industries. That is called berylliosis.

Simply put, what is Berylliosis?

Beryllium is a long-term inflammation of the lungs caused by inhaling small particles or fumes of the metal beryllium . Simply put, it is a condition in which the lungs swell. Beryllium is a very light and strong metal. That is why it is used to make many things, such as cars, computers, golf equipment, aircraft parts, and various electrical appliances.

But the important thing here is that not everyone exposed to beryllium develops this disease. This is a response of our body's immune system . That is, only those who have an allergy or sensitization to beryllium develop this disease. We call this sensitivity Beryllium Sensitization (BeS) .

This disease causes damage to the lung tissue, which over time causes scarring. This causes symptoms such as difficulty breathing and coughing.

There are two main types of this disease.

Beryllium disease can be divided into two main types.

1. Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD)

This is what we commonly call berylliosis. It is a lung disease that occurs in people who are sensitive to beryllium (BeS). It is an autoimmune condition, meaning that our body's own defense system attacks our lungs. Sometimes it can be confused with another lung disease, such as sarcoidosis .

Once a person has been sensitized to beryllium, the disease can develop at any time. It can also occur years after exposure to beryllium has stopped.

2. Acute Beryllium Disease

This condition is rare today, because current workplace safety regulations prevent exposure to large amounts of beryllium in the air to cause such an acute condition. This is a condition that occurs very quickly and can quickly escalate.

In addition, beryllium can cause a skin condition called contact dermatitis, which is a skin rash . If someone who works with beryllium develops this type of skin reaction, it is important to seek medical advice immediately, as they are at high risk of developing beryllium sensitivity (BeS).

What are the symptoms of this disease?

Symptoms of chronic berylliosis (CBD) usually develop very slowly and gradually worsen over time. Some people may not have any symptoms at all when they are diagnosed with the disease.

In this disease, our lungs react to a Fremdkörper (foreign substance) called beryllium and become inflamed. As a result of this reaction, immune cells accumulate in the lungs and form small lumps called granulomas . Over time, these build up in the lungs, causing scarring and reduced lung function. As the disease progresses, the following symptoms may occur:

How does a doctor diagnose this disease?

If you have these symptoms, especially if you work in a job that could expose you to beryllium, it's important to see a doctor. Your doctor will take a complete medical history, especially about your work history. They may then recommend several tests to help diagnose the condition.

• Blood Test: This is called the Beryllium Lymphocyte Proliferation Test (BeLPT) . This tests to see if the white blood cells in your blood react to beryllium. This can tell if you have beryllium sensitivity (BeS).
• Chest CT scan: This can clearly see the condition of your lungs and the extent of any scarring or swelling.
• Breathing Tests: Spirometry is the most commonly used test for this. It measures how quickly and how much air you can inhale and exhale. This can give you an idea of ​​how well your lungs are working.
• Bronchoscopy: In this test , a small tube with a camera is passed through the mouth or nose into the lungs to examine the inside of the lungs. A small sample (biopsy) of lung tissue may also be taken for testing. This sample can be examined to determine if there are any granulomas.

Is there a treatment for this disease? Can it be completely cured?

Unfortunately, there is no "cure" that can completely cure chronic berylliosis (CBD). But don't worry. The main goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms, stop the disease from getting worse, and help you live a normal life.

Many doctors prescribe medications that control the immune system for this.

• Corticosteroids: Drugs like Prednisone are commonly used for this. These work by reducing inflammation, or swelling, in the lungs.
• Other medications: Medications such as methotrexate or azathioprine are used for long-term treatment. These also help control the disease by suppressing the immune system.
• Oxygen Therapy: People who have difficulty breathing may need to be given external oxygen.
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation: This is like physiotherapy for the lungs. It helps improve breathing ability and quality of life through special exercises and counseling.

In very severe cases, a lung transplant may be necessary, but this is very rare.

How can we protect ourselves from this dangerous disease?

The best and only way to prevent this disease is to avoid exposure to beryllium . In this, you have a great responsibility, as well as the organization you work for.

Berylliosis Sinhala, Beryllium Disease, Lung Disease, Respiratory Disease, Factory Health, Workplace Safety, Breathing Difficulty