OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA

CAUSES | SYMPTOMS | DIAGNOSIS | TREATMENT

INTRODUCTION TO OCCUPATION ASTHMA

Occupational asthma also known as work related asthma is a chronic lung disorder. 

Occupational asthma occurs when there is a reversible inflammation of the airways. 

This type of asthma is generally caused by exposure to substances at workplace. A patient of occupational asthma may develop an allergic reaction, irritant reaction, or reaction to certain substances at work place, which can result in an asthma attack. 

 Immune mediated asthma is caused by the external stimulus, which initially triggers the body’s immune system causing asthma. 

CAUSES OF OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA

There are two elements of occupational asthma- one in which there are recurrent attacks and another in which there is chronic inflammation.

Occupational asthma can be a genetic disorder a patient may have a family history of asthma.

The most common cause of asthma is the exposure to a trigger. The trigger may be an allergic reaction.

When a person encounters a trigger, the problem appears. For example: A patient is allergic to smoke, when somebody sitting next to him smokes it triggers symptoms of occupational asthma.

SYMPTOMS OF OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA

However, many of the patients do not have any symptom. Common symptoms of occupational asthma: Chest pain

Fatigue Coughing Conjunctivitis Rhinorreha (runny nose) Difficulty breathing Wheezing Chest tightness

DIAGNOSIS OF OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA

A doctor will start a diagnosis by asking a patient about their symptoms, medical history and may conduct a physical exam. After that, a doctor will order a diagnostic test to know the exact cause and the severity of the problem. The diagnostic test will include: 

A chest x-ray Peak flow meter test to detect the patterns

related to airway process Spirometry test to measure the level of

impaired breathing Blood test to check for an infection that

might be causing occupational asthma

TREATMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA

Some preventive measures are: Wear a mask while at the workplace.

Quit smoking and avoid sitting next to a person who smokes.

Take medicine as directed by your doctor. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, eating healthy

and regularly exercising.

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