Materiały źródłowe

• #1 Occupational asthma | Lima Memorial Health System

  https://www.limamemorial.org/health-library/HIE%20Multimedia-TextOnly/1/000110

  Occupational asthma is a lung disorder in which substances found in the workplace cause the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow. This leads to attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. […] Symptoms are usually due to narrowing of the airways and tightening spasms of the muscles lining the airways. This reduces the amount of air that can pass through, which can lead to wheezing sounds. […] Symptoms usually occur shortly after you are exposed to the substance. They 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 trigger. […] Symptoms usually get worse toward the end of the work week and may go away on weekends or vacations. […] Symptoms include: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Tight feeling in the chest, Wheezing.

• #1 Occupational asthma – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/occupational-asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20375772

  Occupational asthma symptoms may include: […] Wheezing. […] Coughing. […] Shortness of breath. […] Chest tightness. […] Occupational asthma symptoms depend on the substance you’re exposed to, how long and how often you’re exposed, and other factors. Your symptoms may: […] Begin right after exposure to a substance, later in the day or after work. […] Improve or go away on days off or during vacations and then return when you go to work. […] May begin early in the day and fail to improve on days off as disease progresses. […] May become permanent even after long periods away from work. […] The longer you’re exposed to a substance that can cause occupational asthma, the worse your symptoms may become. […] Also, the longer you’re exposed, the longer it will take for symptoms to improve after exposure stops. […] In some cases, exposure to airborne asthma triggers can cause permanent changes to your lungs.

• #1 Work-Related Asthma | AAFA.org

  https://aafa.org/asthma/living-with-asthma/work-related-asthma/

  Work-related asthma symptoms are the same as general asthma symptoms. […] Common signs and symptoms of asthma include: Shortness of breath, Cough, Chest tightness, pressure, or pain, Wheeze (a whistling sound when you breathe), Increased mucus (or thick secretions) from the airways, Waking at night due to asthma symptoms, A drop in your peak flow meter reading (if you use one). […] You may notice you have more airway symptoms while at work or within several hours after leaving work. But the symptoms typically get better on weekends or during vacations. This can be a sign of work-related asthma. […] Sometimes, work-related asthma may go away once you are no longer around the substances that trigger your asthma. But if you are constantly around some triggers, such as strong chemicals, your lungs may become permanently damaged. Some people develop disabilities due to long-term, untreated work-related asthma. This is one of many reasons why it is important to address your work-related asthma.

• #1 Occupational Asthma Causes, Diagnosis, Treatments, and More

  https://www.webmd.com/asthma/occupational-asthma-work-related-asthma

  Symptoms of occupational asthma include general symptoms of an asthma attack, such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulty. Eye irritation, nasal congestion, and/or runny nose may also be present. […] Generally, if your asthma symptoms are worse on days that you work, improve when you are at home for any length of time (weekends, vacations) and then recur when you return to work, occupational asthma should be considered. […] Preventing asthma symptoms by reducing exposure to the triggers at work is the most important step you can take to reduce the occurrence of occupational asthma. It’s also important to use appropriate asthma medication to prevent symptoms. Even with the right asthma medications, continued exposure at work can make asthma more difficult to control.

• #1 Work-Related Asthma – Pulmonary Disorders – MSD Manual Professional Edition

  https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/pulmonary-disorders/environmental-and-occupational-pulmonary-diseases/work-related-asthma

  Symptoms of work-related asthma include dyspnea, wheezing, cough, and, occasionally, upper respiratory allergy symptoms. […] Symptoms of work-related asthma caused by sensitization to an agent in the workplace typically develop over a latency of weeks to years. Once sensitized, the worker can respond to very low concentrations of the agent, making exposure control challenging for sensitized workers. […] Typical symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, and cough, temporally related to work. Rhinitis and conjunctival symptoms are more common with high molecular weight allergens and may precede the typical symptoms of asthma by months or years. […] Symptoms typically develop and/or worsen at work after exposure to the sensitizing agent and improve when the patient is away from work (eg, on weekends and holidays). Late asthmatic responses, symptoms starting 4 to 6 or more hours after exposure, are common with low molecular weight agents and can make the association with work challenging to recognize. Continued exposure at work causes the symptoms to become more chronic and persistent, and the association with work can become less apparent.

• #1 Occupational asthma // Middlesex Health

  https://middlesexhealth.org/learning-center/diseases-and-conditions/occupational-asthma

  Occupational asthma symptoms may include: Wheezing. Coughing. Shortness of breath. Chest tightness. […] Occupational asthma symptoms depend on the substance you’re exposed to, how long and how often you’re exposed, and other factors. Your symptoms may: Begin right after exposure to a substance, later in the day or after work. Improve or go away on days off or during vacations and then return when you go to work. May begin early in the day and fail to improve on days off as disease progresses. May become permanent even after long periods away from work. […] The longer you’re exposed to a substance that can cause occupational asthma, the worse your symptoms may become. Also, the longer you’re exposed, the longer it will take for symptoms to improve after exposure stops. In some cases, exposure to airborne asthma triggers can cause permanent changes to your lungs.

• #1 Work-Related Asthma | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2001/1201/p1839.html

  Allergic occupational asthma is distinct from other forms of work-related asthma; persons with this form of the illness develop sensitization to a specific chemical agent in the workplace. The sensitization process does not occur after one exposure but develops over time (i.e., latency period). […] Most persons with asthma, including those with work-related asthma, have nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness. This is the tendency to develop bronchospasms following exposure to nonspecific triggers such as cold air, exercise, environmental irritants, and pharmacologic agents. […] HMW substances typically produce early reactions. Symptoms begin 10 to 20 minutes following exposure and may gradually resolve with or without treatment over the next one to two hours. LMW substances commonly produce delayed reactions that are associated with significant airway inflammation. Symptoms begin three to four hours after exposure and peak after eight hours.

• #1 Occupational asthma – WorkSafe – DEMIRS

  https://worksafe.wa.gov.au/occupational-asthma

  A significant proportion of workers are free of symptoms during their working hours, suffering only night-time attacks that wake them in the early hours of the morning. […] If the occupational cause of the asthma is not recognised, or if the worker perseveres with the job despite the symptoms, there is a significant risk that the asthma will persist for years (if not indefinitely) after eventually leaving the job. […] In the early stages: […] symptoms are least on the first working day but increase progressively during the week, reaching a peak on the last day; […] gradually resolve over the weekend.

• #1 Occupational Asthma

  https://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/allergy/occupational-asthma/

  In patients with OA with a latency period, symptom improvement has been noted over a weekend with 24 to 48 hours of work absence in about 70% of patients and up to 90% of workers with vacation leaves of 7 to 10 days. […] The outcome in OA depends on many of the same elements that are involved with initial sensitization and include the nature of the agent, the concentration of exposure, the duration of exposure, and the smoking history as well as host-dependent factors. Factors predicting a worse outcome are lower PC20 at baseline, longer duration of exposure, and the interval since removal of the patient from exposure. As mentioned above, early removal offers the best chance at recovery. However, most patients with OA with latency do not recover, even after several years away from exposure. […] Once the diagnosis of OA is made, that worker is 100% impaired for the job that caused the problem or for jobs with exposure to the same causative agent.

• #1 Occupational Asthma

  https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/asthma/occupational-asthma

  Occupational asthma has become the most common work-related lung disease in developed countries. However, the exact number of newly diagnosed cases of asthma in adults due to occupational exposure is unknown. Up to 15% of asthma cases in the United States may be job-related. Occupational asthma is caused by inhaling fumes, gases, dust or other potentially harmful substances while „on the job.” Often, your symptoms are worse during the days or nights you work, improve when you have time off and start again when you go back to work. […] This type of asthma generally develops only after months or years of exposure to a work-related substance. Your body’s immune system needs time to develop allergic antibodies or other immune responses to a particular substance. […] The length of time you are exposed to a substance before it triggers your asthma varies. It can be months or years before symptoms occur. On the other hand, exposure to a high concentration of irritants can cause asthma within 24 hours. […] If occupational asthma is not correctly diagnosed early, and you aren’t protected or removed from the exposure, it can cause permanent changes to your lungs.

• #1 Occupational Asthma: Symptoms and Treatment | Doctor

  https://patient.info/doctor/occupational-asthma

  Occupational asthma symptoms should be suspected in all adults with symptoms of airflow limitation and it should be positively searched for in those with high-risk occupations or exposures. […] Symptoms of airflow limitation are improved on days away from work and on holiday. However, this is not specific for occupational asthma and may also include those with asthma due to agents at home (who may improve on holidays) and those who do much less physical exertion away from work. […] Amongst individuals who continue in the same job, without adaptations, symptoms usually persist or worsen, despite treatment. They are at increased risk of a rapid decline in lung function, which can lead to fixed airflow obstruction. […] The prognosis of individuals with occupational asthma is better if they are removed from exposure quickly, particularly within a year of first symptoms.

• #1 Occupational Asthma Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment & Symptoms

  https://www.emedicinehealth.com/occupational_asthma/article_em.htm

  Asthma is a chronic (long-term, ongoing) inflammation of the breathing passages (bronchi) of the lungs. The inflammation irritates the airway, causing breathing problems. […] Occupational asthma is a breathing (respiratory) disease caused by exposure to a trigger in the workplace. A trigger is an external factor or condition in the body that causes the asthma to occur or worsen. […] Once the attack is triggered, the airways begin to swell and tighten (bronchospasm) and secrete large amounts of mucus. […] If this occurs for a period of time, the inflammation can result in abnormal airflow obstruction even when not having an attack. When lung function no longer returns to normal after years of chronic inflammation, asthma evolves into a new class of lung disease referred to as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• #1 Occupational asthma | Lima Memorial Health System

  https://www.limamemorial.org/health-library/HIE%20Multimedia-TextOnly/1/000110

  Occupational asthma may keep getting worse if you continue to be exposed to the substance that is causing the problem, even if medicines improve your symptoms. You may need to change jobs. […] Sometimes, symptoms may continue, even when the substance is removed. […] In general, the outcome for people with occupational asthma is good. However, symptoms may continue for years after you are no longer exposed in the workplace.

• #1 Occupational Asthma: Symptoms and Treatment | Doctor

  https://patient.info/doctor/occupational-asthma

  When complete cessation of exposure is possible, about 25-30% of people experience a full symptom recovery over 3-5 years, and another 30-35% experience improved asthma symptoms with treatment. […] Several studies have shown that the prognosis for workers with occupational asthma is worse for those who remain exposed for more than one year after symptoms develop, compared with those removed earlier.

• #1 Understanding Occupational Asthma | Severe Asthma Toolkit

  https://toolkit.severeasthma.org.au/diagnosis-assessment/triggers-occupational-asthma/

  For workers with irritant-induced occupational asthma, symptoms may resolve within months to year or may persist long-term. If affected people do return to work, ongoing monitoring is important to manage disease exacerbations. […] However, to our knowledge no studies have specifically reported on outcomes for people with work-related asthma and severe, treatment-refractory asthma, so prognosis in this population remains unclear.

• #1 Progress in Occupational Asthma

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7345155/

  The typical history of OA is the appearance or worsening of asthma symptoms at work and their improvement outside the work environment. However, asthma symptoms could be present outside the workplace as late asthmatic reactions or triggered by non-specific stimuli like cold air, fumes or exercise. […] The best diagnostic approach for OA is to combine a detailed clinical history with objective diagnostic tests. […] An early diagnosis is essential for a favorable outcome of the asthma. All patients with OA should be managed like other not work-related asthmatics with regard to asthma education, control of exposure to environmental triggers and appropriate pharmacotherapy. […] Once a sensitizer-induced OA is confirmed, early removal of the workers from exposure is associated with a better prognosis and outcomes.

• #1 Work-Related Asthma | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2001/1201/p1839.html

  The most important step in diagnosing work-related asthma is to suspect it in all adults who present with new-onset asthma or recent clinical deterioration. Work-related asthma is underdiagnosed because most physicians do not inquire about the work-relatedness of symptoms. […] Employees with allergic occupational asthma should be removed from exposure to the causative agent. For these sensitized persons, reduction of exposure levels alone is inadequate because any exposure, even in minute concentrations, can trigger an allergic reaction. Adequate treatment of asthma symptoms does not replace the need for avoiding the offending agent. Continued exposure of persons with allergic occupational asthma is associated with significant morbidity and, occasionally, mortality.

• #1 Work-Related Asthma – MN Dept. of Health

  https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/asthma/workplaces/index.html

  Asthma is considered to be Work-related when someones asthma symptoms worsen because of exposures to allergens or irritants at work. […] If exposures at work have caused the development of newly diagnosed asthma, it is referred to as Occupational Asthma (OA). Approximately 17% of all adult-onset asthma cases are related to occupational exposures. […] It is important to protect yourself from exposures to allergens and irritants because continued exposures can worsen asthma. […] Unless work-related asthma is diagnosed and managed early, it is likely to continue and can get worse. Work with your health care provider if you suspect you might have work-related asthma. Early detection and treatment can improve the quality of life and progression or development of the disease.

• #2 Occupational Asthma: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9572-asthma-occupational–work-related-asthma

  Occupational asthma makes it hard to breathe when you work with substances that cause your airways to swell. It can cause shortness of breath, a cough and chest tightness that usually get better when you’ve been away from work for a while. […] Symptoms of occupational asthma are the same as symptoms caused by other types of asthma, including: Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Chest tightness, pain or pressure, Coughing. […] Signs of occupational asthma tend to get better when you’re away from work for a while. If you notice your symptoms get better when you go on vacation or take a weekend off, they may be happening because of workplace irritants. […] Asthma attacks can be severe or even life-threatening if you can’t get enough air into your body. Repeated exposure to irritants can also sometimes cause lung problems, including scarring.

• #2 About Work-related Asthma | Asthma | CDC

  https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/asthma/about/index.html

  Work-related asthma symptoms are the same as non-work related asthma. […] Symptoms of work-related asthma are the same as symptoms for non-work-related asthma. They include: Wheezing, Coughing, Chest tightness, Shortness of breath. […] Asthma symptoms can come and go, and some workers might not have all of the symptoms. […] Symptoms for work-related asthma tend to get better on weekends, vacations, or other times when away from work. However, in some cases, symptoms do not improve until extended time away from exposures or triggers. […] Worsening asthma or new onset asthma in a worker should raise questions about workplace causes. Asthma symptoms can develop shortly after exposure. However, they can also develop months or years after repeated exposures to harmful substances.

• #2 Occupational asthma – WorkSafe – DEMIRS

  https://worksafe.wa.gov.au/occupational-asthma

  Asthma is a condition of the lungs where the airways to the lung narrow and cause symptoms of coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest tightness. […] Occupational asthma occurring in response to regular exposure to a sensitising agent in the workplace usually exhibits certain characteristic features: […] there is a latent period of several weeks to many years, during which the worker is free of symptoms; […] this is followed after a variable period by the development of coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath which increases in frequency and severity until a pattern of repeated sickness absence is established; […] coughing is often the most prominent symptom, and may completely overshadow difficulty in breathing or chest tightness. […] Sometimes the worker has symptoms within a few minutes to an hour of exposure to the sensitising agent.

• #2 Work-related Asthma and Occupational Asthma – An introduction | The Society of Occupational Medicine

  https://www.som.org.uk/work-related-asthma-and-occupational-asthma-introduction

  The symptoms of asthma are the same whatever the cause, although in the early stages of the disease a distinguishing feature occupational asthma is that symptoms deteriorate when at work and improve regularly when away from work i.e. weekends and holidays. […] About two-thirds of people with occupational asthma also suffer from rhinitis (sneezing, runny nose) and/or conjunctivitis (itchy red eyes). It is important to recognise that symptoms of rhinitis and conjunctivitis may develop at the same as the onset of asthma; or they may precede the development of asthma by as long as one year. The new onset of rhinitis and / or conjunctivitis is someone exposed to occupational causes of asthma ought to be considered to be an early warning sign for the development of occupational asthma and should be investigated.

• #2 Occupational asthma – WorkSafe – DEMIRS

  https://worksafe.wa.gov.au/occupational-asthma

  A significant proportion of workers are free of symptoms during their working hours, suffering only night-time attacks that wake them in the early hours of the morning. […] If the occupational cause of the asthma is not recognised, or if the worker perseveres with the job despite the symptoms, there is a significant risk that the asthma will persist for years (if not indefinitely) after eventually leaving the job. […] In the early stages: […] symptoms are least on the first working day but increase progressively during the week, reaching a peak on the last day; […] gradually resolve over the weekend.

• #2

  https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/asthma.html

  RADS can appear after an acute, single exposure to a high level of irritating agents (e.g., chlorine, anhydrous ammonia, and smoke). There is no latency period. The symptoms develop soon after the exposure, usually within 24 hours, and may reappear after months or years, when the person is re-exposed to the irritants. […] There is no fixed period of time in which asthma can develop. Asthma as a disease may develop from a few weeks to many years (the latency period) after the initial exposure. […] Immediate typically develops within minutes of exposure […] Late can occur in different forms. It usually starts several hours after exposure and is often worse after about 4 to 8 hours with recovery within 24 hours. […] Dual or Combined is the occurrence of both immediate and late types of asthma.

• #2 Understanding Occupational Asthma | Severe Asthma Toolkit

  https://toolkit.severeasthma.org.au/diagnosis-assessment/triggers-occupational-asthma/

  Work-related asthma tends to be more severe than non-work related asthma, with the potential for higher higher medication use, reduced asthma control, more rapid decline in lung function and greater socio-economic impact (Hoy et al. 2017). […] The diagnosis should be made as early as possible because ongoing exposure to the causative agent at the workplace is likely to result in asthma becoming more severe, leading to rapid lung function decline (Anees et al. 2006). […] For workers with sensitiser-induced occupational asthma, complete avoidance of the exposure is often necessary to improve symptoms (BMJ Best Practice). Ongoing exposure to the sensitiser is likely to lead to a progressive worsening of asthma outcomes. Improvement is generally seen within 2 years of removing the exposure, but can take up to 10 years.

• #2 Progress in Occupational Asthma

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7345155/

  Occupational asthma (OA) represents one of the major public health problems due to its high prevalence, important social and economic burden. […] The classic presentation of SI-OA is a worker who develops asthma symptoms that are worse at work and better on weekends or vacations away from work. A variable latency period ranging from weeks to years after the first exposure to the sensitizer is observed before the onset of respiratory symptoms. […] The prevalence of II-OA is estimated at 5-10% of cases of OA. […] The diagnostic criteria for RADS firstly established by Brooks were adapted and include now: the occurrence of asthma symptoms within minutes to hours 24 h following a single identifiable high level exposure to an irritant, the absence of preexisting asthma symptomatology, the exclusion of other pulmonary disorders that can explain the symptoms, and the evidence of BHR or reversible airflow obstruction on spirometry.

• #2

  https://www.hsa.ie/eng/workplace_health/occupational_asthma_and_dermatitis/occupational_asthma_frequently_asked_questions/

  Irritant Induced Occupational Asthma usually develops after a single, very high exposure to an irritant chemical. It is a direct burn effect on the airways and is not related to the immune system. […] Symptoms will tend to improve over time and may go away entirely but if symptoms persist beyond 6 months persistent problems are possible. […] Allergic Occupational Asthma is caused by sensitisation or becoming allergic to a specific chemical agent in the workplace over a period of time. This is the mechanism for the vast majority (90%) of cases of occupational asthma. […] If exposure to the causative agent ceases completely, the condition will nearly always improve. If this happens within the first two years of the development of the condition then complete recovery is usual. The longer the exposure continues however, not alone is there a tendency for the condition to get worse, but the less likely it is that there will be a complete recovery although a cessation of exposure is nearly always of benefit.

• #2 Work-Related Asthma | AAFP

  https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2001/1201/p1839.html

  Work-related asthma accounts for at least 10 percent of all cases of adult asthma. Work-related asthma includes work aggravation of preexisting asthma and new-onset asthma induced by occupational exposure. Occupational exposure to very high concentrations of an irritant substance can produce reactive airway dysfunction syndrome, while exposure to allergenic substances can result in allergic occupational asthma. An important step in the diagnosis of work-related asthma is recognition by the physician of the work relatedness of the illness. […] Occupational asthma develops as a direct result of workplace exposure. Two forms of occupational asthma are recognized: reactive airway dysfunction syndrome and allergic occupational asthma. […] Reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (also known as irritant-induced asthma), usually develops after a single, very high exposure to an irritant chemical. Workers who survive massive exposures usually manifest asthma symptoms within 24 hours.

• #2 Occupational Asthma: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9572-asthma-occupational–work-related-asthma

  If you have occupational asthma, you can expect to have fewer or no asthma attacks if you can avoid triggers even though it’s not always easy to do. Medication can help, but if you’re exposed to irritants, you might still have symptoms. And continued exposure to irritants could damage your lungs permanently. […] It might take a few days or weeks to feel better after you’ve changed jobs or been away from something that causes asthma. You might continue having symptoms for longer.

• #2 Occupational Asthma: Symptoms and Treatment | Doctor

  https://patient.info/doctor/occupational-asthma

  Occupational asthma symptoms should be suspected in all adults with symptoms of airflow limitation and it should be positively searched for in those with high-risk occupations or exposures. […] Symptoms of airflow limitation are improved on days away from work and on holiday. However, this is not specific for occupational asthma and may also include those with asthma due to agents at home (who may improve on holidays) and those who do much less physical exertion away from work. […] Amongst individuals who continue in the same job, without adaptations, symptoms usually persist or worsen, despite treatment. They are at increased risk of a rapid decline in lung function, which can lead to fixed airflow obstruction. […] The prognosis of individuals with occupational asthma is better if they are removed from exposure quickly, particularly within a year of first symptoms.

• #2 Occupational Asthma

  https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/asthma/occupational-asthma

  Occupational asthma has become the most common work-related lung disease in developed countries. However, the exact number of newly diagnosed cases of asthma in adults due to occupational exposure is unknown. Up to 15% of asthma cases in the United States may be job-related. Occupational asthma is caused by inhaling fumes, gases, dust or other potentially harmful substances while „on the job.” Often, your symptoms are worse during the days or nights you work, improve when you have time off and start again when you go back to work. […] This type of asthma generally develops only after months or years of exposure to a work-related substance. Your body’s immune system needs time to develop allergic antibodies or other immune responses to a particular substance. […] The length of time you are exposed to a substance before it triggers your asthma varies. It can be months or years before symptoms occur. On the other hand, exposure to a high concentration of irritants can cause asthma within 24 hours. […] If occupational asthma is not correctly diagnosed early, and you aren’t protected or removed from the exposure, it can cause permanent changes to your lungs.

• #2 Occupational Asthma: Symptoms and Treatment | Doctor

  https://patient.info/doctor/occupational-asthma

  When complete cessation of exposure is possible, about 25-30% of people experience a full symptom recovery over 3-5 years, and another 30-35% experience improved asthma symptoms with treatment. […] Several studies have shown that the prognosis for workers with occupational asthma is worse for those who remain exposed for more than one year after symptoms develop, compared with those removed earlier.

• #2 Occupational asthma | Asthma + Lung UK

  https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/asthma/occupational-asthma

  If you’ve developed new asthma symptoms at work, it could be occupational asthma. […] If you develop asthma symptoms when you did not have any before, you may have occupational asthma. […] Occupational asthma does not always develop as soon as you are exposed to substances. It can take a few weeks to many years to develop. […] If you notice asthma symptoms, make an appointment to see your GP. […] If your GP thinks you may have occupational asthma, they will refer you to a specialist. You will do tests to confirm a diagnosis. […] The treatment for occupational asthma is the same as for asthma that is not related to work. […] If you have occupational asthma, the best thing to do if you can is to stop exposure to the substance that has caused it. Around 3 in 10 people with occupational asthma who stop being exposed to the harmful substance make a full recovery. […] If you have symptoms of occupational asthma, your employer must protect you while the cause of your symptoms is investigated. […] If you develop occupational asthma, your employer must control your exposure to the substance that caused it, to prevent triggering an asthma attack.

• #2 Employers’ Guide to Occupational Asthma | The Society of Occupational Medicine

  https://www.som.org.uk/employers-guide-occupational-asthma

  This is because the best chances of avoiding irreversible disease is within one year of first developing symptoms. […] Left unmanaged occupational asthma will become established. […] The outlook is best in those employees who have shorter duration of symptoms and better lung function both at the time of diagnosis and prior to beginning to avoid exposure. […] This offers the best chance of recovery. […] The symptoms and disability caused by occupational asthma may persist for many years after avoiding further exposure to the causative substance. […] The likelihood of symptoms improving or disappearing is greatest in employees who have no further exposure to the causative agent. […] Therefore, early diagnosis and early avoidance of ongoing exposure, either by substitution of the hazard or by redeployment of the employee offer the best chance of improvement or recovery.

• #2 Progress in Occupational Asthma

  https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/12/4553

  The presence of non-specific BHR to methacholine/histamine has a high sensitivity for the diagnosis of OA. […] An early diagnosis is essential for a favorable outcome of the asthma. […] The pharmacologic therapy relies on a stepwise approach and is conducted according to the management guidelines. […] The first step in the management of OA is to make a precise diagnosis with the identification of the causative agents in order to apply avoidance measures. […] Once a sensitizer-induced OA is confirmed, early removal of the workers from exposure is associated with a better prognosis and outcomes.

• #2 Occupational asthma – Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | BMJ Best Practice US

  https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-us/1111

  Occupational asthma (OA) should be suspected in all adult patients with asthma. […] Sensitizer-induced OA is caused by immunologic stimuli and develops after a latency period between first exposure and the onset of symptoms. […] Symptoms of asthma that improve during holidays. […] Initial onset of asthma symptoms during a work period.

• #2 Progress in Occupational Asthma

  https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/12/4553

  Patients with OA due to LMW agents describe more frequently chest tightness at work, have daily sputum and high risk for severe exacerbations. […] The prevalence of II-OA is estimated at 5–10% of cases of OA. […] The diagnostic criteria for RADS include the occurrence of asthma symptoms within minutes to hours <24 h following a single identifiable high level exposure to an irritant. [...] The most common agents recognized as causes of RADS are gases, acids, alkali, biocides, halogenated derivatives, solvents, fumes, sprays, and potential sensitizers. [...] The mechanisms of II-OA are poorly understood. [...] The best diagnostic approach for OA is to combine a detailed clinical history with objective diagnostic tests. [...] The typical history of OA is the appearance or worsening of asthma symptoms at work and their improvement outside the work environment.

• #2 Is my asthma work-related? | Mass.gov

  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/is-my-asthma-work-related

  Learn how to tell if your asthma is work-related, what you can do to prevent it, what resources are available to you, and more. […] If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may have Work-Related Asthma. […] Symptoms usually get worse at work but get better during vacations or long weekends. If your asthma becomes more severe, symptoms may not get better even after time away from work. […] Work-related asthma may be reversible, but permanent damage, or even death can occur if exposure continues. […] Not everyone has all of these symptoms. […] Work-related asthma is asthma caused or made worse by work. Asthma symptoms may start right after you breathe in a particular substance or symptoms may be delayed, beginning after work or even at night.

• #2 Progress in Occupational Asthma

  https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/12/4553

  Occupational asthma (OA) represents one of the major public health problems due to its high prevalence, important social and economic burden. […] The classic presentation of SI-OA is a worker who develops asthma symptoms that are worse at work and better on weekends or vacations away from work. […] A variable latency period ranging from weeks to years after the first exposure to the sensitizer is observed before the onset of respiratory symptoms. […] The most common form of OA is SI-OA, which represents >90% of cases. […] The diagnosis of OA is difficult, requiring confirmation for the diagnosis of asthma, plus evidence that the asthma was caused by workplace conditions. […] The aim of this review is to summarize current data about clinical phenotypes, biomarkers, diagnosis and management strategies of OA which represents a major public health problem due to its high prevalence and its important financial-societal burden.

• #3 Occupational asthma | Lima Memorial Health System

  https://www.limamemorial.org/health-library/HIE%20Multimedia-TextOnly/1/000110

  Occupational asthma is a lung disorder in which substances found in the workplace cause the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow. This leads to attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. […] Symptoms are usually due to narrowing of the airways and tightening spasms of the muscles lining the airways. This reduces the amount of air that can pass through, which can lead to wheezing sounds. […] Symptoms usually occur shortly after you are exposed to the substance. They 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 trigger. […] Symptoms usually get worse toward the end of the work week and may go away on weekends or vacations. […] Symptoms include: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Tight feeling in the chest, Wheezing.

• #3 Progress in Occupational Asthma

  https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/12/4553

  Occupational asthma (OA) represents one of the major public health problems due to its high prevalence, important social and economic burden. […] The classic presentation of SI-OA is a worker who develops asthma symptoms that are worse at work and better on weekends or vacations away from work. […] A variable latency period ranging from weeks to years after the first exposure to the sensitizer is observed before the onset of respiratory symptoms. […] The most common form of OA is SI-OA, which represents >90% of cases. […] The diagnosis of OA is difficult, requiring confirmation for the diagnosis of asthma, plus evidence that the asthma was caused by workplace conditions. […] The aim of this review is to summarize current data about clinical phenotypes, biomarkers, diagnosis and management strategies of OA which represents a major public health problem due to its high prevalence and its important financial-societal burden.

• #3 Progress in Occupational Asthma

  https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/12/4553

  Patients with OA due to LMW agents describe more frequently chest tightness at work, have daily sputum and high risk for severe exacerbations. […] The prevalence of II-OA is estimated at 5–10% of cases of OA. […] The diagnostic criteria for RADS include the occurrence of asthma symptoms within minutes to hours <24 h following a single identifiable high level exposure to an irritant. [...] The most common agents recognized as causes of RADS are gases, acids, alkali, biocides, halogenated derivatives, solvents, fumes, sprays, and potential sensitizers. [...] The mechanisms of II-OA are poorly understood. [...] The best diagnostic approach for OA is to combine a detailed clinical history with objective diagnostic tests. [...] The typical history of OA is the appearance or worsening of asthma symptoms at work and their improvement outside the work environment.

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