Advertisement

Occupational Health Medicine Health Channel

Feature Article

Illustrations for this article

Click on an image below to enlarge

Spirometry

Respiratory system

Occupational asthma

Definition

Occupational asthma is a lung disorder in which various substances found in the workplace lead to breathing difficulties.

See also:

  • Bronchial asthma
  • Pediatric asthma

Alternative Names

Asthma - occupational exposure; Irritant-induced reactive airways disease

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Many substances in the workplace that can cause occupational asthma. The most common triggers are wood dust, grain dust, animal dander, fungi, or other chemicals (especially diisocyanates).

Though the actual rate of occurrence of occupational asthma is unknown, it is suspected to cause 2-20% of all cases of asthma in industrialized nations.

The following workers are at higher risk:

  • Bakers
  • Detergent manufacturers
  • Drug manufacturers
  • Farmers
  • Grain elevator workers
  • Laboratory workers
  • Metal workers
  • Millers
  • Plastics workers
  • Woodworkers

Symptoms

Symptoms are usually due to airway inflammation and spasms of the muscles lining the airways, which cause the muscles to narrow excessively.

They usually occur shortly after being exposed to the offending substance and often improve or disappear when you leave work. Some people may not have symptoms until 12 or more hours after exposure to the allergen.

Symptoms usually get worse toward the end of the work week and may (but not always) go away on weekends or vacations.

In general, symptoms include:

  • Coughing
  • Tight feeling in the chest
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing

Signs and tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history. There may be a pattern of worsening symptoms associated with a specific workplace environment or substance.

Wheezing may be heard when listening to the chest with a stethoscope.

The following tests may be used to diagnose this condition:

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to limit exposure to the asthma-causing substance and improve symptoms.

Treatment may include:

Other therapies for asthma may be added in more severe cases.

In some instances, symptoms may persist despite removal of the source of exposure.

Support Groups

See: Asthma and allergy - support group

Expectations (prognosis) ...

Continue reading this article

More Articles

Industrial bronchitis (4 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Industrial bronchitis is an inflammation of the large airways of the lungs in people who work around dusts, fumes, smoke, or other substances. Reviewer: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, CriticalCare & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Reviewprovided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/03/2006
Email  |  Save

Occupational hearing loss (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Occupational hearing loss is damage to the inner ear from noise or vibrations due to certain types of jobs or entertainment. Reviewer: Alden J. Pearl, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/20/2006
Email  |  Save

Use Healthline to search the web for more Occupational Health Medicine information.

Current News

Time to cleanse? Think again
The Boston Globe | 6 hours ago
... a procedure that uses powerful drugs to rid your body of heavy metals such as mercury or lead. Some alternative medicine practitioners, such as Dr. Glenn Rothfeld, medical director of WholeHealth New England in Arlington, believe - although research ...

Holland Medi Center opens $1.2M facility
Grand Rapids Press | 1 day ago
... bringing its medical and rehabilitation services under one roof. The center, at 335 N. 120th Ave., focuses on occupational health issues, medical testing and rehabilitation for injured workers. It also provides "urgent care medical treatment for ...

Are you listening? Do you care?
LancasterOnline | 1 day ago
... referral by a rheumatologist or family physician, a patient arrives for a day-long evaluation by a nurse, an occupational therapist, a behavioral psychologist and a physical therapist. The same day, these professionals gather to share insights and ...

Show all News

Create News Alert