Occupational asthma

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Asthma is considered as a chronic disease that involves the inflammation and smooth muscle contraction around the airways of the lungs, resulting to symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing.

The condition can be triggered or aggravated by environmental triggers such as irritants and allergens, particularly if the job of the individual involves significant exposure to these triggers. Work-related or occupational asthma is a type that is worsened by exposure to inhaled triggers at work.

Symptoms of occupational asthma

The symptoms of occupational asthma are similar to the symptoms to other types of asthma. Remember that the relationship of these symptoms however, is directly linked to work exposure.

Individuals with occupational asthma will notice that their symptoms are absent or mild when away from work such as on weekends or vacations. The symptoms reappear and worsen over the course of the week.

Occupational asthma
The symptoms of occupational asthma are similar to the symptoms to other types of asthma.

Types of exposure that causes occupational asthma

There are various triggers that can cause occupational asthma. The allergic causes of occupational asthma often occur after a period when the individual has no symptoms which is called the latency period.

During the latency period, the allergenic antibodies are generated and symptoms of allergic rhinitis and/or conjunctivitis can manifest as a result of being exposed to the trigger. The non-allergic triggers cause occupational asthma via irritant effects.

Jobs that led to exposure to allergic and non-allergic triggers that can cause occupational asthma include the following:

  • Bakery
  • Laboratory personnel
  • Healthcare workers
  • Landscapers/gardeners
  • Factory workers exposed to metals and other chemicals
  • Sawmill/lumber workers

Diagnosing occupational asthma

History

Determining if work exposure can worsen or cause asthma can be difficult. If the following are true, occupation asthma might be present.

  • Changes to work exposure occur right before the onset or worsening of the symptoms
  • The symptoms are less severe during weekends or on vacation
  • Unusual exposure occurred within 24 hours before the start or worsening of the symptoms
  • Presence of symptoms of allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis at work

Testing

Lung function testing while the individual is at work can detect any drop in the lung function. This can suggest the diagnosis of occupational asthma. This is often performed using peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) using a peak flow meter.

For the testing to be correctly done, PEFR is measured at least four times a day for 4 weeks to detect changes in the lung function triggered by work triggers including one week off the job to reveal that these changes do not occur away from work.

Management of occupational asthma

The treatment of asthma triggered by work-related triggers is the same for types that are not triggered by workplace exposure. Nevertheless, complete avoidance of the environmental trigger is advised if possible. In case the individual decides to remain in his/her job despite the triggers, all attempts must be done to minimize or eliminate exposure. This includes the use of protective equipment such as masks and/or respirators specifically designed for such purpose.

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