Asthma and Work-related

Asthma

Developed by:
Dana Hughes, RN, PhD
Miners Hospital, University of Utah

Libbey M. Chuy, MPH

Asthma Program, Utah Department of Health

Overview
Asthma What is it?
Symptoms of asthma
What is work-related asthma?
How common is work-related asthma?
What substances trigger asthma?
How asthma is treated?
Clues that suggest asthma may be workrelated
What YOU can do if you have asthma

Asthma What is It?

Asthma is a chronic
lung disease that
obstructs airflow
The obstruction is
reversible
It involves difficulty in
breathing due to
Inflammation (swelling)
Mucus in the airways
Tightening of muscles
around the airways

Symptoms of asthma
Coughing
Wheezing, a whistling sound
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Sneezing & runny nose
Itchy and inflamed eyes

What is work-related
asthma?
Pre-existing asthma that is triggered or
made worse by exposure to one or more
substances in the work-environment

OR
Asthma that is caused by exposure to
substances in the work-environment
Signs and symptoms are the same
for asthma and work-related asthma

How common is asthma?

About 20 million Americans currently
have asthma
About 8% of Utah adults have asthma

Up to 20% of all adult asthma cases

maybe work-related asthma
Of those diagnosed with work-related
asthma:
20-27% are individuals with pre-existing asthma
who react to substances in the workplace
Up to 80% develop asthma due to work-place
exposures

What substances trigger

asthma?
Type of Substance

Examples

Air pollutants, including

dusts,
smoke, mists & fumes

Diesel exhaust; tobacco smoke;

mineral, rock, coal, & wood
dusts; gases; fumes & vapors
from aerosol agents, chemicals,
cleaning materials, solvents,
paints, welding & from heating
& cooling metals quickly

Pollens, mites & molds

Trees, flowers, weeds, hay,

plants

Animal dander

Birds, cats, dogs

Medications

Aspirin, anti-inflammatory
drugs

Foods

Egg, wheat, nuts

Can asthma be cured?

Asthma can be controlled (but not cured)
by:
Avoiding triggers or reducing exposure to
triggers
Using medication to control symptoms

Medications - generally two types are used

Controller or long-term drugs
Taken to prevent excess production of mucus & to
reduce
the inflammation and constriction of airway muscles

Rescue or quick-relief drugs

Taken to relax muscles around the airways to improve
breathing

Poorly controlled asthma

leads to:
Increased visits to
Doctor, Urgent Care
Clinic or Hospital ER

Hospitalizations
Limitations in daily
activities
Lost work days
Lower quality of life
Death

What clues suggest that

asthma is
work-related?

Do symptoms:
Occur only at work or
regularly after a
work-shift?
Improve on
weekends or
vacations?
Increase over the
course of the work
week?
Improve after
changes in the work
environment?

Information to share with

doctor
Discuss your symptoms.
When do they occur?
How often do they occur?
Time of day or week that
symptoms are worse
Times you feel better
Identify
Substances in the work-place
to which you are exposed
Current and previous jobs,
hobbies, and smoking habits
that may affect your lungs

What YOU can do if you have

asthma?
Identify and minimize contact with
your asthma trigger(s)
Understand and take asthma
medications as prescribed
Recognize early signs that your
asthma is getting worse
Know what to do when your asthma
is getting worse