​Pathology - Pneumoconiosis ( Silicosis, Coal Worker, Anthracosis)

​Pathology - Pneumoconiosis ( Silicosis, Coal Worker, Anthracosis) 
Pneumoconiosis refers to a group of lung diseases, including silicosis, coal worker pneumoconiosis, and anthracosis.

The act of breathing in inorganic particles, such as carbon dust (anthracosis), coal dust (coal worker's pneumoconiosis), and silica dust (silicosis).
Coal worker pneumoconiosis: Straightforward: Coal macules are present surrounding the bronchioles in the higher lobes.
Complex: Progressive large fibrosis is characterized by the presence of blackened fibrotic nodules with a necrotic center in the lung.
Silicosis is a condition characterized by the presence of silicotic nodules in the lungs, which can block airways or blood vessels. These nodules can eventually turn into collagenous scars, leading to a condition known as honeycomb lung.

Anthracosis is characterized by the presence of irregular black patches, which are caused by macrophages that consume carbon, along the lung lymphatics.

Signs and symptoms 
Coal miner pneumoconiosis is a condition that can be either simple or complicated. In its simple form, it does not cause any symptoms. However, in its complicated form, it can lead to the development of bronchiectasis. Pulmonary hypertension. Or pulmonary heart disease. 
Imaging reveals the presence of small opacities located beneath the lung, as observed on the chest X-ray.
Silicosis is a respiratory condition characterized by difficulty breathing (dyspnea) and an elevated risk of developing tuberculosis (TB). Imaging reveals the presence of nodules in the upper lung and calcification resembling an eggshell in the hilar lymph nodes, as observed on a chest X-ray.

Treatment for anthracosis is mostly focused on alleviating symptoms.
Laboratory results: Reduced total lung capacity (TLC) seen across all variations.
Treatment involves providing supportive care by the administration of oxygen and discontinuing the use of the causative substance.
Asbestosis is classified as a kind of pneumoconiosis, as seen in the Asbestosis card.