Asthma - occupational exposure; Irritant-induced reactive airways disease

Symptoms are usually due to swelling of the airways and spasms of the muscles lining the airways. This reduces the amount of air that can pass through, and can lead to wheezing sounds.

Symptoms usually occur shortly after you are exposed to the offending substance, and often improve or go away when you leave work. Some people may not have symptoms until 12 or more hours after being exposed 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

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history. Your symptoms may have a pattern of getting worse with a specific workplace environment or substance.

The health care provider may hear wheezing when listening to the chest with a stethoscope.

The following tests may be used to diagnose this condition:

• Blood tests to detect specific antibodies to the suspected substance
• Bronchial provocation test (test measuring reaction to the suspected allergen)
• Chest x-ray
• Complete blood count
• Peak expiratory flow rate
• Pulmonary function tests

Images

Spirometry

Respiratory system

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Occupational asthma Overview

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Occupational asthma Treatment

Review Date: 05/21/2009
Reviewed By: Allen J. Blaivas, D.O., Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)