If your work is affecting your health it is a good idea to start discussions with your employer when you have your diagnosis. If you work for a large organisation you may be able to speak to your occupational health or human resources department. Think about your work tasks. Where you work. The conditions you […]
A good place to start is to check with your GP and make sure you fully understand your asthma, your medications and how to stay as well as you can. This includes getting your flu vaccination, asthma action plan and attending follow up appointments. Discuss your work with your GP. How much physical effort you […]
If you are of working age and you have been diagnosed with asthma you may be concerned about how this could affect your ability to work now and in the future. Ideally you should be able to continue working as long as your asthma is well controlled. Working for as long as you are able […]
If you are still working your work mates are another possible source of help. Some may have similar experience of a long term condition but others may not understand what it is like for you when you are unwell. If you have asthma make sure you tell someone at work what to do if you […]
As they become teenagers they will be looking for control in their lives. Some may use asthma as a tool to gain control. Some may be in denial that they have asthma. Most don’t like to be different from other teenagers. Some teenagers forget or refuse to take regular inhalers for reasons above. This is […]
Often, there are symptom patterns and signs characteristic of occupational asthma when there is no other explanation for these symptoms. Likelihood of diagnosis increases if symptoms include two or more of these are mentioned: Wheezing or wheezy sounds in your chest. Chest tightness. Cough. Shortness of breath. Low forced expiratory flow in 1 second (FEV1) […]
Symptoms worsen while at work and improve or disappear when away from work. Symptoms may also improve with inhaler treatment, but can improve without medication if irritant exposure is reduced. Other symptoms: Rhinitis (inflammation inside nose causing sneezing, blocked, itchy and running nose). Conjunctivitis (often called Pink Eye, an infection between outer lining of eye […]
The Health and Safety Executive is an independent watchdog for work-related health, safety and illness. Their website has a section about asthma at work which gives lists of occupations and irritants at work. It also gives information for you and your workplace about occupational asthma and work related asthma. There is also an asthma quiz […]
Occupations which may trigger asthma include: Spray painter Baker Healthcare worker Chemical worker The isocyanides in spray paint may be a trigger. The flour and grain dust in a bakery may trigger asthma. Cleaning products and latex may be a trigger for asthma. Chemicals (anhydrides) in the plastic and drug industries are a potential trigger […]
