Chronic Lung Problems from sawdust/grindings exposure

S

stihl088

I am a lifelong non-smoker and have lived a relatively clean life (except for daily being a "nasty" tree guy). I've been a practicing arborist for over 25 years now. Over the last few years though I have been having increasing breathing problems, shortness of breath, and getting "winded" more quickly, etc.. Also, I now seem to get 4-5 major sinus infections a year. I am awaiting test under the direction of a lung specialist to see exactly what is going on, but frankly am little nervous about the situation. Have any of you other lifelong "tree guys" experience similar problems? What was the diagnosis, and the outcome?
 
I've been doing tree work full time now for a little over 10 years now. But I'm second generation and have been around the industry my entire life. I was diagnosed with asthma at 8 months old and have been dealing with lung problems my entire life. Things that have really helped me out are sinus rinse packets that i use every day after work, (http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/neilmed-sinus-rinse-original-sinus-kit/ID=prod2598807-product). I also have learned what trees I am more allergic too then others, and when working on those trees try and make some one else chip them or grind the stump. If not I wear a respirator that i bought at home depot.

I hope the doctors visit goes well, and it ends up being nothing serious, but if it ends up being a lung problem like asthma shoot me a message and I can give you some helpful advice that took me my whole life to learn. GOOD LUCK!
 
"Allergic to", anyone who wants an answer for allergies that are stopping them in some area of life should take a hard look at NAET (Nambudrapod's Allergy Elimination Technique. )

A person can become 'allergic ' to something in a moment - and cleared from same in a moment.
 
Tree_Frog said:
Where do you buy your food and what type? Organic? Conventional? Health starts in the gut.
Click to expand...
Chronic exposure to small inhaled particles can cause chronic lung problems like COPD and pulmonary fibrosis regardless of whether you shop at whole paycheck. I won't argue against a better diet, but it won't protect you from these issues.


I don't know how often this happens with chainsaw work, but I do know that I've treated plenty of really sick patients who never smoked but have pretty bad lung disease.
 
I have had shortness of breath, weezing, and easily winded when I've shovled the chips that have been stuck in the back of the chipper truck I think the fine dust and mold from them breaking down causes a reaction to my lungs. I try to wear a respirator when dealing with this or chipping dead trees and won't have any breathing issues. Also try to use the bio bar oils (any one have any other non petroleum based bar oils they use?) Use the sinus rinse every day or at least when breathing a lot of dust in.
 
I heard that real salt works as an antihistamine/decongestant. Supposed to work on asthma attacks as well. Kind of interesting to say the least.

As far as bio oil. I go to any store and pick up canola oil in the big jug. A lot cheaper than the $20/gallon for the same stuff with a thickening agent.
 
I'm freaked a bit. Been thinking about it more and more lately.

When we work in dusty lands (dirt and/or wood) I try to nasal douche in the shower with the nette pot squeeze jobber. Sodium bicarbonate packets made for the douche and just add warm water. I find it works best for me standing (shower) in stead of leaning over a sink. First a few gentle shots up one hole and out the other, mouth open letting some rinse out the back of the throat. The secret...wait a few minutes for it to react to the rinse and loosen up then do it a bunch more, then the crap comes out. Tip, don't shoot it too hard, or blow it out too hard, you can get liquid in your sinuses where you don't want it. Some times it's disturbing to see the shit you might have left up there.

Gotta say, welding/grinding dust has got to be worse. How bout cement dust?

I have had allergy asthma since young. 40 now. Last 10 years full time tree work, I hardly notice it. Can't remember the last time I wanted an inhaler. Over a year.

I used to wear a respirator 20 years ago anytime chipping dry black locust. Unreal reaction then. These days don't even notice it.

Did veg oil for 5 years. I need to go back to the veg. Loved the smell on the bigger bars.

This thread is going to make me finally buy those hepa nasal filters on amazon. Some help with a deviated septum. Little cone shaped filters you shove up your nose that open up the passage, and filter the air of dust/allergens. Here is one http://www.amazon.com/Value-Invisib...sim_121_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1JHVFJ9N377R6BHP491W
 
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frashdog said:
I'm freaked a bit. Been thinking about it more and more lately.

When we work in dusty lands (dirt and/or wood) I try to nasal douche in the shower with the nette pot squeeze jobber. Sodium bicarbonate packets made for the douche and just add warm water. I find it works best for me standing (shower) in stead of leaning over a sink. First a few gentle shots up one hole and out the other, mouth open letting some rinse out the back of the throat. The secret...wait a few minutes for it to react to the rinse and loosen up then do it a bunch more, then the crap comes out. Tip, don't shoot it too hard, or blow it out too hard, you can get liquid in your sinuses where you don't want it. Some times it's disturbing to see the shit you might have left up there.

Gotta say, welding/grinding dust has got to be worse. How bout cement dust?

I have had allergy asthma since young. 40 now. Last 10 years full time tree work, I hardly notice it. Can't remember the last time I wanted an inhaler. Over a year.

I used to wear a respirator 20 years ago anytime chipping dry black locust. Unreal reaction then. These days don't even notice it.

Did veg oil for 5 years. I need to go back to the veg. Loved the smell on the bigger bars.

This thread is going to make me finally buy those hepa nasal filters on amazon. Some help with a deviated septum. Little cone shaped filters you shove up your nose that open up the passage, and filter the air of dust/allergens. Here is one http://www.amazon.com/Value-Invisib...sim_121_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1JHVFJ9N377R6BHP491W
Click to expand...

Great post. Thanks for all of that, frashdog.

Tim
 
Had a guy at work that ended up with cancer probably from exposure to his work clothes. He's a huge concrete contractor. It's not proven but suspected and why she go it and not him is a mystery.
 
I've gotten very ill a handful of times from chip mold. Bad upper respritory infection with crazy hot fever and dillusions. They call it the dog lung, farmer's lung or blue lung, named after the blue mold that causes it. After a few exposures it becomes a chronic infection. Nasty
 
I developed similar issues about 3 years ago. Where as I would get a coughing fit an pass out. Doctors diagnosised it as acid reflex and inhaling mold spores when grinding stumps. Taking medication for reflex and wear a respirator when grinding stumps.
 
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