The causes of workplace asthma

Occupational asthma

Occupational health clinics are on the front line of detecting and treating occupational asthma. One of the most common examples of occupational asthma would be when health care workers develop an allergy to latex gloves after inhaling the powdered proteins from the inner lining of the gloves. Workers in the petro chemical or paper mill industries frequently develop symptoms of asthma after continual exposure to chemical emissions in the workplace or plant. There are countless substances that are used in numerous industries that can cause occupational asthma including:

• Chemicals
• Adhesives
• Paints and lacquers
• plastics
•  carpeting
• Insulation
• dyes
• Animal hair and dander
• Grains
• Cotton, flax, and hemp dust
• Metals such as platinum, nickel sulfate, and welding fumes

Diagnosing occupational asthma

Your doctor will focus on identifying the specific workplace irritant(s) that causes your symptoms.

An asthma diagnosis will be ruled out or confirmed by tests that may include a pulmonary function test and an allergy skin prick test. He or she may order blood tests, chest X-rays, spirometry, Nitric oxide test, or other tests to determine if you have occupational asthma.

Occupational medicine for Germantown, MD

Medical Access provides convenient walk-in care for occupational health services. Their friendly staff will carefully and quickly assess your needs and provide the appropriate services, from preventive medicine to x-ray and lab services. Their facilities are fully staffed and equipped in order to meet the demands of their patients and their healthcare needs. Dr. Manbir Takhar is the Chief Medical Officer, and has been associated with Medical Access since 1999. She is qualified to treat almost any type of injury or illness that may present itself. In addition to these qualifications, she is also a Civil Surgeon and Medical Review Officer. This designation is granted by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, making Medical Access one of the select facilities for immigration physicals. Call them today or simply drop in, as no appointment is needed to receive timely, quality urgent care for any occupational health issues.