Causes
Black lung disease is caused by breathing in coal dust, usually over a long time. This dust can react with your lungs, causing inflammation, which can cause scarring of the tissue (fibrosis) or small masses of tissue (nodules) to form.
Symptoms
Many people with black lung disease have no symptoms, particularly in the early stages of the disease. It usually takes 10 to 15 years or more to develop. The time between breathing in the dust and getting sick is called the latency period.
Symptoms of black lung disease can include:
- A dry cough, or coughing up thick mucus or phlegm that can sometimes be black
- Shortness of breath
- Tight chest.
Stages
If you had heavy exposure to coal dust, black lung disease can develop into progressive massive fibrosis. This means you have larger areas of scar tissue in your lungs.
Getting a diagnosis
Talk to your doctor about your health history and any jobs you’ve had, especially if you worked with anything dangerous that you might have breathed in. Your doctor will likely send you to a specialist doctor.
You may need several tests before your specialist doctor can reach a diagnosis, including:
- Physical exam
- Lung function tests (breathing tests to measure how well your lungs work)
- Chest x-ray
- High-resolution CT (HRCT) scan
- Arterial blood gas analysis (measures oxygen and other gases in your blood)
- Lung biopsy.
Workplace exposure checklist
Use our checklist to help you talk to your doctor about harmful workplace exposures, like coal dust. It’ll help you remember each of the important things to talk about.
Recently diagnosed with black lung disease
If you’ve just found out you have black lung disease, it might feel like a lot to deal with. We’re here to help you take things step by step to understand what’s happening and how you might be feeling, and to connect you to support.
Treatment
Although there’s no cure for black lung disease, there are ways to slow its progress and help manage your symptoms.
- Medications: Options include inhaled medications and newer treatments such as anti-fibrotic medications that are currently being trialled. They aim to slow the progression of the disease.
- Oxygen therapy: If you regularly have low blood oxygen levels, your lung specialist may prescribe oxygen therapy.
- Lung transplant: This may be considered in very severe cases. If you are suitable for lung transplantation, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of the surgery.
Living with black lung disease
Even though most occupational lung diseases often can’t be cured, there are things you can do to manage your symptoms and improve how you feel. These include avoiding any further exposure, making healthier choices and exercising regularly. Find out more about living with an occupational lung disease, such as black lung disease.
Occupational lung disease support nurse
Our experienced nurses provide information, support and care for people living with occupational lung disease, their families and carers. Call 1800 654 301 for a free telephone appointment or book online.
Resources
Living with occupational lung disease booklet
Occupational lung disease and compensation resource
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