Occupational Asthma
Tags: asthma
Occupational asthma is a form of asthma that occurs when you are exposed to vapors, gases, particulate matter, or fumes that exist in the workplace. This continuous exposure to these substances causes tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways, swelling in airway tissues, and production of excess mucus in the lungs. These lung changes cause asthma symptoms that can include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest.
In the early stages of the disease, a person with occupational asthma generally will experience symptoms during the work week, that tend to subside on weekends and vacations. However, as the disease progresses, symptoms become longer lasting. Symptoms even may begin to result from substances that are not common to the workplace, such as dust, smoke, or pollen.
Occupational asthma usually is reversible, but requires avoidance of the substance that is causing the symptoms. If exposure to the substance is prolonged, permanent lung damage can result.
If you have asthma, you should probably avoid jobs at which you may be exposed to known triggers. Here is a list of some common jobs and their identified triggers:
| Baking and cooking | flour, additives, metabisulphite |
| Food processing | metabisulphite |
| Wine making | metabisulphite |
| Grain handling | grain dusts, fumigants |
| Woodworking | wood dust, especially from hardwood |
| Spray painting, Car repair | isocyanates, epoxy resins, organic solvents |
| Floor varnishing | isocyanates |
| Painting | paint additives |
| Laboratory animals | animal dander, urine |
| Foundries | isocyanates |
| Electronics | solder fumes |
| Fire fighting | smoke and combustion products |
| Metal refining and processing | acids, chlorine, heavy metal salts |
| Shellfish processing | shellfish antigens |
| Oil refining | hydrocarbon mists |
| Printing | azo dyes, organic solvents |
| Farming | animal dander, feathers, and grain dust |
| Chemical laboratories | acids and solvents |
| Developing and X-ray processing | darkroom chemicals |
| Hairdressing | dyes, perfumes, and sprays |
| Foam manufacturers and converters | polyurethane |
| Garage attendant | car-exhaust fumes |
| Health care workers | latex |
MEDICATIONS
| Brand Name | Active Ingredient | |
| Singulair | Montelukast | Buy Singulair here |
| Clarinex | Desloratadine | Buy Clarinex here |
| Deltasone | Prednisone | Buy Prednisone |
| Lasix | Furosemide | Buy Lasix |
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