Medical Guides

Occupational asthma

Occupational asthma is defined as asthma caused by exposure to an agent encountered in the work environment. Occupational factors are associated with about 1 in 10 cases of adult asthma. A diagnosis of occupational asthma should be considered in every adult patient with new or worsening asthma. The diagnosis of occupational asthma requires:

•    History of exposure to sensitising agents
•    Absence of asthma symptoms before beginning employment
•    Relation between the development of symptoms at workplace and reduction of these symptoms on withdrawal from the workplace.
Travelling and asthma

Precautions to be taken before travelling:

•    Asthma should be under proper control
•    Have a current written management plan for both relief and prevention of asthma.
•    Take adequate asthma medication for the duration of the trip, plus some extra.
•    It is best to carry the daily medication in a hand baggage and keep extra medicines in the luggage.
•    Use a spacer when travelling as it is very handy and does not require electricity.
•    Take copies of the prescriptions, making sure they are written in generic names: this makes them more easily recognisable, as not all brand names will be available everywhere.
•    The cleanliness and fabrics of pillows and bedding at hotels can be a problem. Therefore carry pillowcases and bedsheets.

Precautions to be observed while travelling:

•    Rapid changes in temperature can trigger asthma attacks, such as moving from an air-conditioned aeroplane to a warm climate.
•    Always wear appropriate clothing in cold weather, like warm jackets, gloves and a scarf to cover the nose to warm the cold air.
•    At the earliest sign of a cold or flu follow the doctor’s instructions or self-management plan instructions regarding increasing the dose of medicine.