The signs and symptoms of<unk>  typically manifest after a significant amount of time has passed following asbestos exposure, often several decades under current conditions in the US. The primary symptom of<unk>  is generally the slow onset of shortness of breath, especially with physical activity. Clinically advanced cases of<unk>  may lead to respiratory failure. When a physician listens with a stethoscope to the lungs of a person with<unk> , they may hear inspiratory crackles. The characteristic pulmonary function finding in<unk>  is a restrictive ventilatory defect. This manifests as a reduction in lung volumes, particularly the vital capacity (VC) and total lung capacity (TLC). The TLC may be reduced through alveolar wall thickening; however, this is not always the case. Large airway function, as reflected by FEV1/FVC, is generally well preserved. In severe cases, the drastic reduction in lung function due to the stiffening of the lungs and reduced TLC may induce right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale). In addition to a restrictive defect,<unk>  may produce reduction in diffusion capacity and a low amount of oxygen in the blood of the arteries.
Asbestosis
Bronchiectasis
Silicosis
Coalworker's pneumoconiosis
Asbestos-related diseases
Organic dust toxic syndrome
Tuberculosis
Occupational lung disease