Occupational asthma

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Respiratory system

Spirometry

Asthma - occupational exposure; Irritant-induced reactive airways disease

Symptoms usually occur shortly after exposure to the offending agent (the allergen) and often improve or disappear when the affected person leaves the workplace. The symptoms often worsen as the work week progresses and resolve on weekends or vacations. Some people may experience a delayed onset of symptoms, occurring as many as 12 hours after exposure to the allergen.

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Cough
• A feeling of tightness in the chest

The medical history reveals a pattern of worsening symptoms associated with exposure to a specific agent or workplace environment. Making the association with the correct allergen can be very difficult.

Wheezing may be heard when listening to the chest with a stethoscope (auscultation).

Tests used in the diagnosis of occupational asthma may include the following:

• Pulmonary function tests
• Measurement of the peak expiratory flow rate (peak-flow) before and after work
• Chest X-ray
• CBC
• Bronchial provocation test (test measuring reaction to the suspected allergen)
• Blood tests to reveal specific antibodies to suspected offending substances

Review Date: 02/09/2006
Reviewed By: Frederic F. Little, M.D., Department of Allergy and Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.