Occupational exposure to barium and its numerous forms (most important being barium sulfate) through inhalation was described throughout the 20th century as an asymptomatic form of a nonfibrotic and uncommon type of pneumoconiosis. [1] [2] Manufacturing of lithopone, a white pigment composed primarily of barium sulfate, as well as arc welding and manufacture of paints, paper, glass, rubber, electronic components (in the form of barium titanate) can be the source of this mineral [2] [3]. Consequently, workers (predominantly males) involved in these industries may inhale significant amounts of barium, but very few reports have addressed symptomatic patients in whom a mild cough was reported as the only complaint [2] [3]. In fact, abnormal clinical findings accompanied by an inability to work and frequent leave of absence, as well as impaired lung function, is never reported if baritosis alone is identified. For this reason, it is classified into the group of "benign pneumoconiosis" [3]. Moreover, even short cessation of exposure to barium dust can result in complete resolution of radiographic findings, which are often the only evidence of this condition [3]. However, baritosis may concomitantly develop with other more dangerous types of occupational lung disease, such as asbestosis, silicosis, berylliosis, and coal worker pneumoconiosis. In such disorders, progressive decline in respiratory function accompanied by a cough, hemoptysis, and dyspnea is frequently noted, especially if the diagnosis is made after years or decades of exposure [1]. The chronic exposure to barium can lead to the presentation of symptoms like a dry cough, cough with expectoration, wheezing, shortness of breath, sniffing and nasal irritation.

• Anemia

  Fullers' earth disease Graphite fibrosis Graphite fibrosis of lung Hard metal pneumoconiosis Liparitosis Manganese pneumonitis Mica pneumoconiosis Mixed mineral dust pneumoconiosis Pneumoconiosis due to inorganic dust Pulmonary siderosis Sideropenic anemia [icd9data.com]

  Oligaemia; anemia; chlorosis; t. Varices with stitching pains. Phlebitis. Signs of poisoning of blood with carbonic acid. [legatum.sk]

• Cough

  The chronic exposure to barium can lead to the presentation of symptoms like a dry cough, cough with expectoration, wheezing, shortness of breath, sniffing and nasal irritation. [symptoma.com]

  Expectorant The persistent cough should be treated with expectorant. Expectorant helps to soften mucosa and helps to cough out the sputum and barium particles. Cough Suppressants Irritation of throat and dry cough is treated with cough suppressants. [epainassist.com]

  Symptoms and Signs Asymptomatic Cough Wheezing Nose irritation Asymptomatic Cough Wheezing Nose irritation Cases In a small factory where barytes was crushed, milled and graded nine cases of baritosis happened. [dianamossop.com]

  However, being a benign condition, it neither interferes with lung function nor causes symptoms other than a mild cough. [en.wikipedia.org]

  Great hoarseness, even when cough is slight. Gasping for breath at commencement of cough. Cough with suffocating attacks. Distracting cough day and night, with short breath and rattling in chest. ~ Catarrh of a child. [legatum.sk]

• Nausea

  Nausea with bitter taste. After nausea, stomach feels empty. Nausea, often disgust, with an apparent full stomach, with vertigo and dull head. Nausea during loose stools. Nausea, sweat, weariness and apathy continue till late in night. [legatum.sk]

  B - Ingestion : Accidental ingestion of inorganic tin compounds can cause a gastrointestinal syndrome characterized by nausea, vomiting and loose stools. [smart2000.pagesperso-orange.fr]

  […] vom., for great debility, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting. Lycopodium : Stoppage of the nose at nighty dull head, burning pain in the forehead. [ebooksread.com]

• Abdominal Pain

  Pain in groins and cold creeps before menses. ~ Dysmenorrhea. Violent pain at epigastrium and through whole abdomen, with constant spasmodic contractions of abdominal muscles. Abdominal breathing. [legatum.sk]

• Excoriation

  Cepa : Profuse discharge of bland water from the eyes and burning excoriating water from the nose / terrible la- ryngeal cough, compelling the patient to grasp the larynx with his hands, for it seems, that the cough would tear it. CiMiciFUGA-RAC. [ebooksread.com]

  Lips: dry, scurfy; chapped, nights; pale, livid; blue; swell much and quickly, and have excoriations on many places; erythematous eruption; covered with little blisters; ( ~ after intermittent); itching vesicles. [legatum.sk]

Because signs and symptoms of baritosis are virtually non-existent, the diagnosis can often be made only after the use of radiographic findings supported by patient history that will confirm exposure to barium. Plain radiography is a useful initial method that can detect fine nodular lesions and small ring-shaped shadows that point to deposition of dust in the alveoli and bronchioles [2]. Computed tomography (CT), however, is considered as a superior method for diagnosing occupational lung diseases, and extremely dense opacities on high-resolution CT in the basal segments of lower lobes are most important findings that suggest baritosis [4]. A distinction from other types of pneumoconiosis can be made based on the absence of fibrosis, which is typical for asbestosis, silicosis and other more severe forms [2] [3].

• X-Ray Abnormal

  After exposure to barium dust ceases, the X-ray abnormalities gradually resolve. References Doig AT. Baritosis: a benign pneumoconiosis. Thorax. 1976 Feb;31(1):30-9. PMID 1257935 Categories: Occupational diseases | Pulmonology | Radiology [bionity.com]

  After exposure to barium dust ceases, the X-ray abnormalities gradually resolve. References Doig AT. Baritosis: a benign pneumoconiosis. Thorax. 1976 Feb;31(1):30-9. PMID 1257935 Categories: Radiology | Barium [chemeurope.com]

  [citation needed] After exposure to barium dust ceases, the X-ray abnormalities gradually resolve.[1] Treatment[edit] This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (September 2017) Reference[edit] ^ Doig AT (February 1976). [en.wikipedia.org]

  After exposure to barium dust ceases, the X-ray abnormalities gradually resolve. Prognosis - Baritosis Not supplied. [checkorphan.org]

Alternative treatments for better health and a healthy lifestyle are now available. Alternative medicine, therapies and treatment options are providing some excellent results for many diseases. [alternativetreatmentsfor.com]

The condition generally appears 1 to 2 years after exposure, does not affect the function of the lung, and appears to go away without treatment after exposure stops. [2] Last updated: 11/14/2016 [rarediseases.info.nih.gov]

The condition generally appears 1 to 2 years after exposure, does not affect the function of the lung, and appears to go away without treatment after exposure stops. [rareguru.com]

[citation needed] After exposure to barium dust ceases, the X-ray abnormalities gradually resolve.[1] Treatment[edit] This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (September 2017) Reference[edit] ^ Doig AT (February 1976). [en.wikipedia.org]

Prognosis - Baritosis Not supplied. [checkorphan.org]

[…] lung fields lupus pernio lymph nodes lymphocytes macrophages mesothelioma mottling nerve nodular nodules occasionally occur onset opacities pathogenesis Pathology patients peripheral plaques pleural effusion pneumoconiosis polyarteritis nodosa present prognosis [books.google.com]

Two major issues complicate the etiology of pneumoconioses: 1) First is the variety of dusts to which the sufferer may have been exposed. Often workers exposed to inorganic dusts work in several occupations. [histopathology-india.net]

The pathophysiology of barium : hypokalemic and cardiovascular effects. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 177, 433-439, 1971. Shankle R., Keane J.R. Acute paralysis from inhaled barium carbonate. Arch. Neurol., 45, 579, 1988. [colorisk.fr]

1. Chong S, Lee KS, Chung MJ, Han J, Kwon OJ, Kim TS. Pneumoconiosis: comparison of imaging and pathologic findings. Radiographics. 2006;26(1):59-77.
2. Seaton A, Ruckley VA, Addison J, Brown WR. Silicosis in barium miners. Thorax. 1986;41(8):591-595.
3. Doig AT. Baritosis: a benign pneumoconiosis. Thorax. 1976;31(1):30-39.
4. Ceylan N, Bayraktaroglu S, Savaş R, Alper H. CT findings of high-attenuation pulmonary abnormalities. Insights Imaging. 2010;1(4):287-292.