Occupational Asthma

Occupational asthma is one that is "caused or worsened by breathing in a workplace irritant such as fumes, gases, dust, animal substances, chemicals, enzymes, metals, plant substances and respiratory irritants." (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2010)

In a normal healthy non asthmatic person the lungs are an important part of the exchange of new and used air for the cells in the body. Oxygen inhaled is brought to the cells by way of the bloodstream which is then released through carbon dioxide. In a person with asthma there is "a tightening of the muscle around the breathing tubes, inflammation; which may be triggered by one of two processes, an allergic response or irritant-induced asthma and the body begins to produce to much mucus, which clogs the airways also. When the tubes become inflamed the walls become swollen making them smaller causing less air to be delivered to the lungs." (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2010)

Occupational asthma could possibly be reversible however "long-term exposure can cause worsening symptoms and lifetime asthma" (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2010) some of those symptoms include "those that are also caused by other types of asthma wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, runny nose, nasal congestion and eye irritation." (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2010)

"The longer you are exposed to substances that cause occupational asthma, the worse symptoms will become and the longer it will take for them to improve once you end exposure to the irritant but, the only sure way to eliminate symptoms and prevent lung damage is to avoid whatever is triggering the asthma." (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2010)

Occupational asthma can affect peoples careers along with there home life and work, they may not know exactly where the trigger is coming from until they seek

Occupational asthma

medical attention and even then it may take time to diagnose the problem.

Occupational asthma may affect many people in many different ways it has many of the same signs and symptoms of many other diseases even that of the common cold, people may feel like they just have the flu, if they don't have insurance or can't afford to go to the doctor they may live with this condition for a very long time before ever realizing what exactly they have and before they actually get sent to the right physician to diagnose the correct disorder.

I learned there are many different treatments that can be used other than steroids like herbal medications but the biggest factor is that people really have to change there lifestyle which often means changing or even quitting there job because of this which may be very hard on them financially, emotionally and physically.

Occupational