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Symptoms Veterans Should be Aware of

Though difficult to estimate, hundreds of thousands, and possibly millions of veterans were exposed to caustic asbestos-containing products while serving their country. From the 1930s through the 1970s, all branches of the U.S. military used thousands of tons of asbestos in all forms of construction, maintenance, and repair projects. Conventionally utilized for its heat-resistant and fireproofing properties, asbestos was most commonly used for insulation purposes and for materials needing safeguard against heat or flames. In the Navy alone, more than 300 products fitted in ships and shipyards contained asbestos. Those who served from the World War II area through the Vietnam War are at risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses, such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

Unfortunately, the symptoms associated with asbestos-induced diseases are notoriously non-specific and are often confused as other disorders. Especially in early developmental stages, symptoms are deceivingly indicative of other illnesses. For example, the early warning signs of lung cancer or pleural mesothelioma are very similar to those of pneumonia and influenza. Analogously, symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma commonly resemble a range of other cardiac conditions.

A disquieting statistic reveals more than 30 percent of Americans coping with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos during military service. There are four known types of malignant mesothelioma: pleural (which develops in the pleural lining of the lungs), pericardial (which develops in the pericardial lining of the heart), peritoneal (which develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity), and testicular (which develops in the tunica vaginalis of the testicles). If you or someone you know was potentially exposed to asbestos while serving in the military and exhibit any of the following symptoms, it is best to seek immediate medical advice.

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms include:

• Persistent dry or raspy cough (usually non-productive, meaning there is little or no phlegm)
• Coughing up blood
• Difficulty swallowing
• Night sweats or fever
• Unexplained weight loss of 10 percent or more
• Fatigue
• Persistent pain in the chest or rib area, or pain from breathing
• Shortness of breath (occurs even when at rest)
• The appearance of lumps under the skin on the chest

Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms include:

• Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing, even when resting
• Fever or night sweats

Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include:

• Night sweats or fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Swelling or pain in the abdomen
• Anemia
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea or constipation (generally any change in bowel habits or regularity)
• Nausea or vomiting
• The appearance of lumps under the skin on the abdomen

Testicular mesothelioma symptoms include:

• The appearance of testicular lumps

It is important to note that testicular mesothelioma is extremely rare. Thankfully, less than 100 cases of this uncommon illness have been recorded within the last 60 years. However, since few cases have been recorded and studied not much is known in regard to symptoms.

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