Asthma causes swelling and irritation in the airways, which contributes to breathing difficulties. Many people with this respiratory condition have allergies that trigger airway inflammation, but it can also result from repeated exposure to airborne irritants, which is known as occupational asthma. The condition gets its name from the fact that people in certain professions are most likely to develop it.
With this form of asthma, certain triggers can cause an allergic reaction, or they may simply irritate the lungs, which will result in airway swelling. Common occupational asthma triggers include:
Anyone exposed to these and other substances for long periods has a risk of developing occupational asthma. However, risk factors like being a smoker or having existing allergies can raise a person’s chances even further.
Treatment of this condition is similar to other forms of asthma. In many cases, doctors will prescribe the following medications:
With any form of asthma, following your treatment regimen to the letter is important to effectively relieve symptoms. With occupational asthma, you must also avoid whatever triggers the condition. Continued exposure to lung irritants will cause the condition to worsen and may even result in permanent damage.