Occupational asthma

Occupational asthma is asthma caused by workplace exposures or pre-existing asthma worsened by conditions at work. It may develop after sensitization or arise soon after exposure to an irritant.

Sensitizer-induced occupational asthma: Occupational asthma that develops after a latency period as the immune system becomes sensitized to a workplace agent. This pathway explains delayed symptoms after repeated exposure to agents such as flour dust or isocyanates.
Serial peak expiratory flow monitoring: Repeated measurement of the fastest rate of expiration, recorded across workdays and time away from work. Comparing readings at work and away can reveal a work-linked pattern of airflow obstruction.
Asthma: A chronic respiratory disease marked by variable airway narrowing, inflammation, and episodes of breathing difficulty. Occupational asthma is defined by asthma arising from or worsened by workplace conditions.
Work-related asthma exacerbation: A worsening of asthma symptoms caused by workplace conditions in someone whose asthma was not caused by work. It contrasts with occupational asthma that originates from workplace exposure.
Work-exacerbated asthma: Pre-existing or unrelated asthma that becomes worse because of workplace conditions. Unlike occupational asthma, the underlying disease began independently of workplace exposure.
Irritant-induced asthma: Asthma caused by inhaling irritating substances, sometimes after one intense exposure or repeated lower-level exposures. This pathway can produce asthma without the sensitization phase typical of many occupational cases.
Occupational lung disease: A respiratory illness caused or worsened by exposures encountered in the workplace. Occupational asthma is one form of lung disease attributable to work.
Bronchoconstriction: Tightening of the muscles around the airways that narrows their internal passage. This reversible narrowing produces many symptoms during an occupational asthma episode.
Occupational disease: A disease caused or aggravated by conditions or exposures associated with work. The diagnosis can affect compensation, workplace duties, and employer prevention obligations.
Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome: Persistent asthma-like airway disease that begins after a single, high-level irritant exposure. It is a specific irritant-induced pattern, distinct from asthma developing through sensitization.

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