Occupational asthma is a form of lung disease in which the breathing passages shrink, swell, or become inflamed or congested as a result of exposure to irritants in the workplace.

asthma

Occupational can be reversible. However, continued exposure to the symptom-producing substance can cause permanent lung damage. Follow-up studies of people with occupational asthma show that some cannot be protected.

The most effective treatment for occupational asthma is to reduce or eliminate exposure to symptom-producing substances. Medication may be prescribed for workers who can not prevent occasional exposure. Leukotriene modifiers.

A person who has occupational asthma has one or more symptoms, including coughing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and wheezing. Symptoms may appear less than 24 hours after the person is first exposed.