Black Lung Symptoms, Causes & More
Article Sources
- 1. Publishing, Harvard Health. 'Pneumoconiosis.' Harvard Health, www.health.harvard.edu/a/to/z/pneumoconiosis-a-to-z.
- 2. 'Black Lung Disease.' Black Lung Disease | Michigan Medicine, www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/ug1566spec.
- 3. 'Pneumoconiosis.' Johns Hopkins Medicine, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/pneumoconiosis.
- 4. 'Learn About Pneumoconiosis.' American Lung Association, www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/black-lung/learn-about-black-lung.
- 5. Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (Anthracosis; Black Lung Disease; Coal Miner's Pneumoconiosis) By Abigail R. Lara, et al. 'Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis - Pulmonary Disorders.' Merck Manuals Professional Edition, Merck Manuals, www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pulmonary-disorders/environmental-pulmonary-diseases/coal-workers'-pneumoconiosis?redirectid=60.
- 6. 'Diagnosing and Treating Pneumoconiosis.' American Lung Association, www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/black-lung/symptoms-diagnosis.
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- 9. Black Lung (Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis) By The Manual's Editorial Staff Last full review/revision Mar 2021| Content last modified Mar 2021, et al. 'Quick Facts: Black Lung.' Merck Manuals Consumer Version, Merck Manuals, www.merckmanuals.com/home/quick-facts-lung-and-airway-disorders/environmental-lung-diseases/black-lung.
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3. Symptoms of Black Lung
During the simple stage of the disease, there are often no symptoms. As lung damage progresses, a cough may develop, and the person may cough up black sputum. Other symptoms include wheezing and shortness of breath, especially with exertion.
Later, during the complicated stage, breathing may become extremely difficult. The fingernails and lips may take on a blue tinge. Low levels of oxygen in the blood may stress the heart and other organs, resulting in other symptoms such as leg swelling.1Publishing, Harvard Health. ‘Pneumoconiosis.’ Harvard Health, www.health.harvard.edu/a/to/z/pneumoconiosis-a-to-z.,6‘Diagnosing and Treating Pneumoconiosis.’ American Lung Association, www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/black-lung/symptoms-diagnosis.
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