Are You Suffering From Occupational Asthma?

Occupational asthma occurs when you are exposed to chemicals, dust, gases, and other substances in the workplace. It is also called work-related asthma. It is the most common disease in the US. It affects 15% of asthma adult patients in the United States.

Occupational Asthma Doctor

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They feel difficulty in breathing and feel tightness in the chest. Symptoms can emerge at the time of exposure to chemicals or even after the months. It can reduce your productivity and disturbs your daily life.

If occupational asthma is not treated on time, it can continue and worsen. The best way to treat occupational asthma is to change the environment that is causing asthma. This way, you can avoid substances or irritants that trigger them.

People who have allergies or a family history of allergies are more likely to suffer from asthma. If this type of asthma is not properly treated, it can cause permanent lung damage, disability, or even death.

Causes of Occupational Asthma

Occupational asthma occurs due to swelling in the lungs air passage. When you suffer from an asthma attack, the muscles around the air passage become tight, and the lining of the airways start swelling. Hence, air passages become narrower and prevent air from passing through it, causing difficulty in breathing and tightness in the chest.

People who have genetically sensitive air passages are more likely to suffer from asthma. They can suffer from an asthma attack by inhaling substances called triggers.

Occupational asthma occurs because of the triggers present in the workplace environment . Wood dust, animal dander, chemicals, fungi, and grain dust are common triggers that can cause asthma.

People working in the following places have high chances of getting affected by triggers.

  • Farmers
  • Drug manufacturers
  • Bakers
  • Chemical manufacturers
  • Plastic manufacturers
  • Metalworkers
  • Millers
  • Laboratory workers

Symptoms and Signs of Occupational Asthma

You may notice that you feel better at home and start to feel sick at work. This is because you are sensitive to the workplace environment. Your symptoms can get worse if you don’t treat the root cause.

Occupational asthma has the following signs:

  • Coughing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Runny nose or rhinorrhea
  • Inflammation around the eyes or conjunctivitis
  • Thick green mucus or phlegm

You can see the above symptoms vary when you are at work or somewhere else. A severe type of occupational asthma is called reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS). This asthma occurs when the patient is exposed to various concentrated chemicals at a single time. Patients suffering from this type of asthma feel chest tightness and shortness of breath. They need medical attention within 24 hours. But even after they recover, they will remain sensitive to chemicals and irritants.

Diagnose and Treatment of Occupational Asthma

It’s common for medical professionals to misdiagnose people with severe asthma as having bronchitis . Early diagnosis and treatment of asthma are important. Otherwise, you may experience permanent changes in your lungs.

An allergist is the best physician to diagnose you if you are suffering from asthma or allergy. They will give you a proper treatment plan to reduce your symptoms.

Occupational Asthma Treatment NYC

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Treatment of occupational asthma includes avoiding exposure to substances that trigger an asthma attack. Patients should avoid inhaling gases like nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, or chlorine.

Occupational asthma treatments also include:

  • Physical therapy
  • Breathing aids
  • Medications like inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene modifiers

The ultimate treatment plan depends on your age, symptoms, and frequency of asthma attacks. After completing the treatment plan, make sure to work in an area where you can’t face exposure to chemicals.

Conclusion

Occupational asthma occurs because of the irritants present in the workplace environment. Irritants can include toxic gasses, dust, chemicals, or animal dander. People who are sensitive or have allergies can suffer from occupational asthma. You can prevent the onset of asthma by avoiding exposure to irritants.

If you are experiencing any of the signs mentioned above, you need to see a doctor. NYC doctor Boyan Hadjiev is a highly skilled allergist who can formulate a treatment plan and help you prevent asthma attacks.

Book a telemedicine appointment on our website or call us at 212-319-5282.

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