Berylliosis

Individuals who have an occupational history of exposure to the chemical beryllium may develop either sudden, acute beryllium disease, which manifests as an inflammation of the lungs, or the more slowly developing chronic berylliosis, characterized by abnormal tissue formations in the lungs and enlarged lymph nodes.

Symptoms of Berylliosis

Chronic beryllium disease involves a gradual onset of coughing, difficulty breathing, and weight loss, usually following long-term exposure to beryllium (10 to 20 years). X-rays of the lungs can show damage indicitave of other diseases such as Sarcoidosis, so other immunologic tests may be needed for accurate diagnosis. People with acute berylliosis usually recover within seven to ten days with proper diagnosis and treatment, although the disease can be fatal. The course of people who develop symptoms late is completely different. People with chronic beryllium disease continue to have symptoms, which tend to progress. If the lungs are severely damaged, the heart may become strained, causing heart failure and death.

Treatment Options

Acute berylliosis is usually treated with ventilator support and cortisone therapy with positive results. Chronic berylliosis is also treated with a combination of cortico steroids, however, these therapies are usually not very helpful.

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