| Disease | Injury | Nutrition | Poison |
| Special Topic | Surgery | Symptoms | Test |
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Occupational asthma |
| Definition: |
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A lung disorder characterized by attacks of breathing difficulty, wheezing, prolonged exhalation, and cough, which is caused by various agents found in the work place (see also bronchial asthma). These symptoms are usually due to spasms of the muscles lining the airways, which cause them to narrow excessively. |
| Alternative Names: |
| Asthma - occupational exposure; Byssinosis - work-aggravated asthma; Irritant-induced reactive airways disease |
| Causes, incidence, and risk factors: |
| There are many agents in the workplace which can cause occupational asthma. Most commonly, these include protein molecules (wood dusts, grain dusts, animal danders, fungal substances) or other chemicals (especially di-isocyanates). Though the actual rate of occurrence of occupational asthma is unknown, it is suspected to cause between 2 and 20 percent of all cases of asthma in industrialized nations. Workers in the following occupations are at higher risk: plastics workers, metal workers, bakers, millers, farmers, grain elevator workers, laboratory workers, woodworkers, drug manufacturers, and detergent manufacturers. |
| Symptoms: |
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Symptoms usually occur shortly after exposure to the offending agent (the allergen) and often improve or disappear when the affected person leaves the workplace. The symptoms often worsen as the work week progresses and resolve on weekends or vacations. Some people may experience a delayed onset of symptoms, occurring as many as twelve hours after exposure to the allergen.
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| Signs and tests: |
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The history reveals a pattern of worsening symptoms associated with exposure to a specific agent or workplace environment. Making the association with the correct allergen can be very difficult. Wheezing may be heard when listening to the chest with a stethoscope (auscultation).
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| Treatment: |
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The objective of treatment is to limit exposure to the allergen and improve symptoms with bronchodilator therapy. In some instances, symptoms may persist despite removal of the source of exposure. Medications include hand-held inhalers or nebulizers to deliver bronchodilators. Other therapies for bronchial asthma may be added in more severe cases. |
| Support Groups: |
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The stress related to illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See asthma and allergy - support group. |
| Expectations (prognosis): |
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The outcome for people with asthma in general is good, but symptoms may persist for years after workplace exposure has been eliminated. |
| Complications: |
| Complications include continued asthma symptoms after removal from the source of exposure. |
| Calling your health care provider: |
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Call your health care provider if signs of occupational asthma develop. Call your health care provider if you have occupational asthma and signs of respiratory infection, or if other new symptoms, develop. |
| Prevention: |
| Once the cause is determined, avoid further exposure to it. |
Reviewed By: David Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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