Occupational asthma

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Definition

Do you wheeze, cough or feel short of breath at work, but not during weekends or on vacations?

If so, you may have occupational asthma, a lung condition caused by inhaling workplace fumes, gases or dust. In developed countries, it's the most common work-related lung disease. Occupational asthma can develop if you never had asthma before or had childhood asthma that later cleared. It can also worsen any pre-existing asthma.

When recognized and treated early, occupational asthma is usually reversible. But the only sure way to prevent the worst consequence of occupational asthma — permanent lung damage — is to completely avoid whatever is causing the condition. If that's not possible at your workplace, your doctor may recommend that you find a new job in a different line of work as the best approach to occupational asthma.

Symptoms