Is your job causing you asthma? (Occupational Asthma) Let's be aware of this!

Do you suddenly find it hard to breathe at work? Or do you constantly have a cough, chest tightness, or wheezing? Sometimes, you might not even realize that these things are related to your job. Today, we are talking about such a condition, work-related asthma. We call this (Occupational Asthma).

What is Occupational Asthma?

Simply put, occupational asthma is a type of asthma in which things in your work environment – ​​such as dust, chemicals, or mold – enter your airways, causing inflammation and making it difficult to breathe. This can cause you to have asthma attacks, which are episodes of difficulty breathing.

Sometimes symptoms can appear quickly after breathing in these things. Other times, it can take a long time for symptoms to appear. So, don't think, "I've been doing this job for so long, nothing happened to me."

What are the types of work-related attire?

There are two main types of work-related asthma:

1. (Occupational Asthma): This is when someone who has never had a breathing problem, that is, a condition like asthma, develops new asthma symptoms due to breathing in things in the workplace. Imagine, a person named Kamal goes to work in a new paint shop. He has never had any breathing problems before. But after a few months of going to work, he starts to have wheezing and coughing, especially while working. This could be (Occupational Asthma).

2. (Work-exacerbated asthma): This is when someone who already has asthma is made worse by things in their workplace (for example, dust, smoke). This means they may have more asthma attacks than usual, or their symptoms may occur more frequently.

What are the symptoms of Occupational Asthma?

The symptoms are very similar to those of other types of asthma. That is:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing - This is a whistling sound coming from the chest when breathing.
• Chest tightness, pain or pressure
• Coughing – Sometimes this can be a dry cough, or it can be a cough with phlegm.

If these symptoms are more noticeable during workdays and decrease during holidays, it is more likely to be occupational asthma.

What are the causes of occupational asthma?

The main reason for this is your body's reaction to the substances you are exposed to at work. When you breathe in certain things, your airways swell and become blocked, making it difficult to breathe.

This can happen in two ways:

1. Due to irritation:Some substances directly irritate the airways. This is sometimes called Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS).

2. Allergic reaction: This is when your immune system thinks that something is harmful to your body. So it tries to get rid of it and causes inflammation. This type of allergic reaction can sometimes take a long time to develop.

Just like you get nervous when a stranger comes into your home, the immune system also works to fight off anything harmful that enters your body. But sometimes, problems arise when this process goes too far.

In fact, dust is a major lung irritant and asthma trigger. More than 300 substances have been identified that can cause or worsen asthma. Here are some of them:

• Animal dander, fur, feathers
• Building materials, for example insulation, carpet, foam
• Chemicals - glues, coatings, dyes, plastics
• Paints, varnishes, (polyurethane) sprays
• Latex - things made from rubber
• Bread flour, grain dust
• Wood powder

The most important thing to remember is that even if you use a respirator mask or other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), you can still develop occupational asthma . So, if you have symptoms, don't ignore them.

What jobs have a higher risk of developing occupational asthma?

Any job that exposes you to lung irritants carries this risk. However, the risk is slightly higher for those who do the following jobs:

• Bakery workers, farmers, granary workers, mill workers
• People who work in the health sector (e.g. nurses, laboratory workers)
• People who work in places where pharmaceuticals are manufactured, especially where pharmaceutical powders are released into the air
• People who work with animals (e.g. veterinarians, animal keepers)
• People who frequently work with cleaning products
• People who work with metal, plastic, and wood (e.g., carpentry, furniture manufacturing, metalworking)
• People who work in automotive paints and spray booths

How do I know if my asthma is caused by my job?

How do you know if your asthma is caused by your job? It's very simple. If your symptoms improve when you take a break from work, take a vacation, or stay home for the weekend, then it's likely something at work is causing it.

However, sometimes symptoms don't go away immediately after you leave the workplace. It may take several weeks to see a reduction in symptoms. So don't give up just because they don't go away in a day or two.

What are the possible complications of occupational asthma?

Asthma attacks can sometimes be life-threatening, making it difficult to breathe. Also, continued exposure to these irritants can damage the lungs, possibly causing scarring. This can lead to permanent loss of lung function.

How is Occupational Asthma diagnosed?

This is diagnosed by an allergist, a doctor who specializes in allergies, or a pulmonologist, a doctor who specializes in respiratory diseases. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and ask about your and your family's medical conditions.

It's very important to tell your doctor what your job is. That way, the doctor can figure out what's causing these asthma attacks.

Before you go to see your doctor, it can be helpful to keep a journal of when your symptoms occur, how severe they are, and whether they are relieved by doing certain things. This will help your doctor determine whether this is a work-related condition or something else.

What tests are used to diagnose occupational asthma?

Your doctor may perform tests such as these to see how your lungs are functioning and to rule out other medical conditions:

• Allergy blood tests or skin tests: These can find out if an allergy is causing your asthma symptoms.
• Spirometry: This is the most common lung function test. It measures how well air moves through your lungs.
• Chest X-ray or CT scan: This can help your doctor rule out other causes of your symptoms.
• A peak flow meter: This is a small device that can measure how much your airways are blocked at certain times, such as when you're working. Your doctor may give you this to take home and ask you to take measurements at different times of the day and write them down.

How to control occupational asthma?

Many people manage this with daily inhalers . These usually contain a combination of a medicine that reduces inflammation (often a steroid) and a medicine that opens the airways (bronchodilator). The most important thing is to use the inhaler correctly, every day, as your doctor tells you. Your doctor also advises you to avoid things that trigger your asthma as much as possible.

In addition, the doctor may also prescribe medications such as:

• A rescue inhaler: You should keep an inhaler with a quick-acting bronchodilator (e.g., albuterol) to use in case your asthma gets worse.
• (Nebulizer) One:Some medications can be taken as a mist through a mask worn on the face using a nebulizer machine, rather than through an inhaler.
• Leukotriene modifiers: A type of pill taken daily. This helps reduce asthma symptoms and reduce the number of asthma attacks.
• (Biologic therapy): These additional medications may be needed for people with severe symptoms who have not responded to other treatments.

Is there a complete cure for occupational asthma?

Like other types of asthma, there is no complete cure for occupational asthma. However, it can be well controlled by avoiding triggers and using the medication prescribed by your doctor.

What can I expect if I have (Occupational Asthma)?

If you have occupational asthma, you can reduce or eliminate asthma attacks if you can avoid triggers. It's not always easy. Even if medication helps, if you continue to be exposed to triggers, symptoms can persist and permanent damage to your lungs can occur. So, try to stay away from those triggers as much as possible.

How long will it take to feel better if you stay away from things that trigger your asthma?

After changing jobs, you may start to feel better within a few days or weeks of avoiding the things that trigger your asthma. Sometimes it can take longer. You can ask your doctor how long it will take for you to feel better.

Can Occupational Asthma be prevented?

The most important thing you can do to reduce this risk is to avoid breathing in irritants. This may include asking to be transferred to a different role at your workplace, or even changing jobs altogether if possible.

There are several other ways to reduce the risk of asthma exacerbations:

• Wear a respirator mask: If you can't completely avoid irritants, it may help to wear a mask approved for filtering the substances you're working with.
• Only work in well- ventilated areas: Opening windows and doors can help, but it may not be enough. If you are working with hazardous materials, make sure there is a properly functioning exhaust system.
• Use substitutes for harmful substances: If possible, your employer can use substances that are less irritating to the lungs.
• Check workplace safety and health standards: You can consult with your country's workplace safety agencies (e.g., the Department of Labor in Sri Lanka) to find out if your workplace has the right standards.

When should I see a doctor?

If you experience any asthma symptoms while working, be sure to see a doctor.Write down your symptoms, when they occur, and whether they get better with certain treatments. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist.

The doctor can also advise you on how to talk to your employer about this.

When should I go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?

If you have a severe asthma attack, you need medical attention right away. The first step is to use your rescue inhaler.

If your rescue inhaler doesn't help, or you don't have one with you, go to the nearest emergency room. Signs of a severe asthma attack include:

• The skin turns blue, the lips, and fingernails turn blue (for people with fair skin) or the lips and gums turn gray or white (for people with dark skin)
• I feel very restless and anxious.
• Chest tightness or pain
• Loud wheezing or persistent coughing
• It's hard to talk.
• Breathing very fast

What questions should I ask my doctor?

When you meet the doctor, it will be helpful for you to ask questions like these:

• How should I use this medicine/device?
• When should I use my rescue inhaler?
• When should I go to the emergency room?
• How can I prevent asthma attacks?
• Can I continue doing this job?
• Is there a risk of damage to my lungs?

Finally, you have to say...

When you realize that your work environment is making you sick, you may feel very sad and frustrated. Questions like, "What do I do now? Should I quit my job?" may come to mind. However, you don't always have to quit your job to get better from occupational asthma. There may be other ways to protect your health.

The most important thing is to get a diagnosis, talk to your doctor, and learn about ways to manage your asthma. Talk to your employer, too, and ask for help taking steps to protect yourself and others from things that trigger your asthma. This could include extra protective equipment or a change in your job. These things may seem like a hassle, but they are worth it in the long run to protect your health. You are not alone, and there are doctors and health professionals who can help you along the way.

` Asthma, Occupational Asthma, Breathing Difficulty, Lung Disease, Respiratory Disease, Allergies, Workplace Health