Some working environments involve repeated exposure to hazardous chemicals and contaminants. These environments can cause the development of occupational lung diseases, which can inhibit breathing greatly as the condition progresses. Common lung diseases include:
Along with other treatments, many people receive medication to manage the effects of occupational lung diseases.
While the following treatments are often effective, people with occupational lung disease must limit their exposure to airborne irritants or they will continue to experience the same health issues:
With asbestosis, which results from inhaling asbestos particles, anti-fibrotic drugs help reduce the progression of lung damage. However, patients may need other treatments, such as pulmonary rehab and oxygen therapy to address health effects caused by existing scar tissue. In severe cases, a lung transplant may be necessary.
This form of cancer is also linked to inhaling asbestos particles. Along with surgery and radiation, chemotherapy medications can be used to prevent cancerous cells from spreading to other parts of the body. Immunotherapy is another option, and these medications help the immune system attack cancer cells. Some people may be eligible for targeted drug therapy, which involves taking drugs that block chemicals within cancer cells.
People working around silica for extended periods are at risk of developing silicosis. Like asbestosis, anti-fibrotics can benefit people with this lung condition, but other medications may also be prescribed. This includes inhaled medications like bronchodilators to open airways and reduce tension in the muscles controlling the lungs.
Being employed in a coal mine can involve numerous risks, including constantly inhaling hazardous particles. This can lead to black lung disease or coal miners’ lung, which is characterized by scar tissue and inflammation. Bronchodilators can treat lung inflammation, thereby improving function, but patients may also require oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehab.