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Occupational Asthma
Alternate Names : Asthma - Occupational Exposure, Byssinosis - Work-Aggravated Asthma, Irritant-Induced Reactive Airways Disease
Definition A lung disorder characterized by attacks of breathing difficulty, wheezing, prolonged exhalation, and cough, which is caused by various agents found in the work place (see also bronchial asthma). These symptoms are usually due to spasms of the muscles lining the airways, which cause them to narrow excessively.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
There are many agents in the workplace that can cause occupational asthma. Most commonly, these include protein molecules (wood dust, grain dust, animal dander, fungi) or other chemicals (especially di-isocyanates). Though the actual rate of occurrence of occupational asthma is unknown, it is suspected to cause between 2 and 20 percent of all cases of asthma in industrialized nations.
The following workers are at higher risk:
- Plastics workers
- Metal workers
- Bakers
- Millers
- Farmers
- Grain elevator workers
- Laboratory workers
- Woodworkers
- Drug manufacturers
- Detergent manufacturers
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Jump to another section
• Definition
• Occupational Asthma Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Occupational Asthma Symptoms & Signs
• Occupational Asthma Prevention
• Occupational Asthma Diagnosis & Tests
• Occupational Asthma Treatment
• Occupational Asthma Prognosis
• Occupational Asthma Complications
• Occupational Asthma Support Groups
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Asthma
Tests & Exams
• CBC
• Chest X-Ray
• Pulmonary Function Tests
Other Topics
• Allergen
• Asthma and Allergy - Resources
• Auscultation
• Breathing Difficulty
• Cough
• Resources
• Respiratory
• Stress and Anxiety
• Wheezing
Review Date : 5/7/2003
Reviewed By : David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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