Occupational asthma

Alternative names:

asthma - occupational exposure

Symptoms:

• shortness of breath
• wheezing
• cough
• a feeling of tightness in the chest

Signs and tests:

Wheezing may be heard when listening to the chest with a stethoscope (auscultation) The history reveals environmental exposure.

Tests used in the diagnosis of occupational asthma may include:

• pulmonary function tests
• a chest X-ray
• a CBC
• a bronchial provocation test (test measuring reaction to the suspected allergen)