What is Occupational Asthma? It's the most common occupational lung disease and is caused by things such as wood, dust, animal dander, and chemicals in the workplace. What are the symptoms? Spasms cause the airways to narrow excessively and ultimately cause difficulty breathing, wheezing, prolonged exhalation, and coughing.

There are three "types" of occupational asthma. 1) Asthma caused by acute irritants in occupational settings. 2) Asthma caused by exposure to sensitizes. And 3) A pre-existing asthma that has been exacerbated by occupational exposures.

Your doctor will do pulmonary function test, may take a chest e-ray or perform blood work, or perform a bronchial provocation test to determine if you are suffering from occupational asthma.

If you suspect conditions at work are causing occupational asthma, seek medical help for relief.

Additional Reference Material:

OSHA

Educational website on occupational asthma

E-Medicine Resources