Asbestosis and mesothelioma patients struggle to accomplish in an hour what they were once capable of doing in minutes. Being chronically short of breath can take the breath out of life. If you are suffering from asbestosis or mesothelioma, your physical quality of life may never return to the peak of your younger years, but that doesn't mean that your quality of life has to suffer an avalanche. Taking things slow has its advantages. Taking care of your lungs, your body, and your mind will help you meet the daily challenges of living with an asbestos-related disease.



Managing your respiratory system is one of the most difficult challenges of living with asbestosis and mesothelioma. How you breathe, what you breathe and where you breathe will have a strong impact on your daily breathing abilities ? and your daily functioning. To gain control of your respiratory system, you will need to monitor the air around you, moisture levels, pollution levels, and temperature. You will need to monitor your breathing and learn how to cough a productive cough. Being able to minimize your breathing difficulties by creating the most beneficial surroundings will give your body more energy for living and less time struggling to breathe.

Anyone who is suffering an asbestos related disease needs to create conditions to produce a productive cough. A ?productive? cough is a cough that works hard to cough up mucus. Mucus is your friend. Your lungs are already damaged, and the mucus protects you from further respiratory illness and clears up your airway passages. If your cough is not productive, your airway is smaller, and your lungs get tired. This causes ?respiratory fatigue? ? and you become exhausted from trying to breathe. Dry air will cause respiratory fatigue. You can keep the air around you moist by using a humidifier.

Struggling to breathe is exhausting. It is important that you rest often and take naps during the day. Lie down and remember when you couldn't take naps during the day. If you are suffering from asbestosis or mesothelioma your immune system will be very sensitive to illness. If you are tired your body will not be able to fight the illnesses. Likewise, if your body is not nourished, it will not be strong enough to fight infections. Physical activity (within your limits) is needed to keep up your respiratory strength. If you have recently begun to struggle too hard and too often to breathe, then your doctor will likely prescribe breathing or oxygen therapies.

Keep in mind that breathing through your nose is healthier than breathing through your mouth because your nose hairs will block out more harmful elements. You should also cover your mouth and breathe through your nose during cold weather. Stay away from smoke, and stay indoors whenever possible if you live in a heavily polluted area.

Asbestosis and mesothelioma will exhaust you. However, by modifying your surroundings to breathe beneficial air, keeping your body healthy, and learning to appreciate a slow-motion life, you'll spend less time suffering and have more time for living.