This article explains Occupational Asthma, causes of Occupational Asthma, main symptoms of Occupational Asthma and treatment of Occupational Asthma.
Occupational asthma is asthma caused by close contact with substances, the excessive number of which is in your workplace. These substances can provoke asthma exacerbation in three ways:
An allergic reaction (for example, people with allergies can develop allergic asthma)
Reaction to irritants (for example, the response of the body to tobacco smoke or smoking is asthma)
A reaction that provokes an increase in the substances that are in the body and which cause spasm of the bronchi, thereby triggering an attack of asthma
Some more examples of professional asthma: doctors who are allergic to latex gloves; workers in the chemical industry who are confronted closely with chemicals such as ammonia (in this case, asthma is the result of a reaction to stimuli rather than an allergic reaction).
There is a mass of asthma triggers in various areas of the industry that can provoke an exacerbation of asthma symptoms.
Effects of chemicals when working with adhesives, shellac and varnish, plastic, epoxy resins, foam and rubber, insulating materials, coloring agents (textile industry), enzymes in synthetic detergents
Contact with a protein of wool and / or animal skin
Contact with cereal, green coffee beans and papain
Dust from cotton, flax and hemp, which is typical for the textile industry
Metals such as platinum, chromium, nickel sulfate, and welding gases
How do you know that the cause of exacerbation of asthma symptoms is work?
Usually, if the symptoms of asthma worsen during working hours, and at home, you feel absolutely good, no matter how much you do not go to work (weekends, holidays), then these are clear signs of professional asthma.
What are the signs and symptoms of occupational asthma?
Symptoms of occupational asthma include symptoms of a classic asthma attack, such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and shortness of breath. There may also be watery eyes, a stuffy nose and a runny nose. If you think that you have professional asthma, ask your doctor to refer you to an asthma specialist. This specialist will conduct a detailed examination, including an analysis of the medical history and a study of current breathing problems. After carrying out the necessary tests, the specialist signs a treatment program, which includes taking certain medications such as bronchodilators, inhalers, inhalation steroids to control asthma. And of course, it’s very important to avoid asthma triggers at work.
How to prevent bouts of professional asthma?
Trying to avoid asthma triggers at work is an important part of preventing occupational asthma. You also need to remember to take medication to prevent the worsening of symptoms.
Once you find out what exactly triggers the seizures, talk with your doctor about what precautions you need to take.