Treating and Managing Silicosis

How Silicosis Is Treated

There is no cure for silicosis and once the damage is done, it cannot be reversed. Treatment is focused on slowing down the progression of the disease and relieving symptoms. Avoiding further exposure to silica and other irritants such as cigarette smoke is crucial. Testing for tuberculosis is important because the disease tends to be more severe in people who also have silicosis.

Once your doctor determines the degree of lung damage that has been done, they will work with you to create a management plan. This may include:

• Using an inhaler called a bronchodilator to help relax your air tubes.
• Medications such as steroids, antifibrotics, or biologics may help slow the progression of inflammation and scarring.
• Quitting smoking, vaping and using tobacco products as soon as possible. These increase the damage done by silica and speed up the progression of your disease. The American Lung Association offers proven-effective smoking cessation programs to give people trying to quit the support they need.
• Supplemental oxygen may be prescribed to help you get more oxygenated air into your lungs.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation is an exercise program designed to help all patients with chronic lung conditions maintain optimal activity levels.
• In severe situations, your doctor may refer you to a lung transplant specialist.

Managing Silicosis

To keep the disease from getting worse, you need to eliminate any further exposure to silica. This often means you will need to change jobs.

Other lung irritants, such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, allergens and smoke, should also be avoided to the extent possible.

Your doctor can work with you to help manage your symptoms, and there are further you can take to keep yourself healthy by doing the following:

• Maintain weight and nutrition with a well-balanced diet.
• Stay as active as you can by exercising regularly but be careful not to overexert yourself.
• Prevent respiratory infections that can make your lungs worse. You’re your vaccinations up to date as recommended by your healthcare provider.
• Be vigilant about watching for the development of tuberculosis or other infections and see your healthcare provider immediately if one develops.
• Have a plan to manage flare-ups of the disease when you are experiencing new or worsening symptoms.

It’s hard not knowing what to expect when you have been diagnosed with silicosis. Your healthcare provider can help give you an idea of what to expect – but it varies depending on how much silica you have been exposed to and for how long, if you are still experiencing exposure, your age and your overall health status. Your outlook is better if your symptoms do not get worse. A worsening of symptoms likely means further lung damage that will more severely impact your quality of life that may result in premature death.

Participating in Clinical Trials

There are ongoing clinical trials for the treatment of silicosis. You can choose to participate in a clinical trial. Learn more at Clinicaltrials.gov