Occupational Lung Disease Flashcards
What are the 3 main occupational airways diseases?
Occupational asthma
Occupational rhinitis
Occupational COPD
Name at least 2 examples of causes for occupational COPD? (4)
Coal mining
Hard rock mining
Cadmium fumes
Organic dust
What are the 3 classifications of occupational asthma?
True occupational asthma (caused by occupation)
RADS (Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome)
Work-aggravated asthma (previously had asthma that has been worsened)
Name at least 4 causes of occupational asthma and their associated jobs? (8)
Flour - bakers Isocyanates - spray painters Solder/colophony - welders Laboratory animals - animal houses Epoxy resins - manufacturers Latex - healthcare workers Gluteraldehyde - healthcare workers Wood dusts - woodworkers (red cedar)
What investigation is most key in determining occupational asthma from normal asthma?
Peak flow
Name 3 professions that are at risk of contracting TB due to occupation?
Pathologists
Physicians
Nurses
What is the main occupational cause of extrinsic allergic alveolitis?
Organic dust antigens
What are 4 symptoms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis?
Acute onset breathlessness with fevers
Malaise
Chest tightness
Upon examination what is a sign of hypersensitivity pneumonitis?
Crackles in lung fields
What causes silicosis and which professions (4) are exposed to this cause?
Inhalation of crystalline silicon dioxide
Miners, stonemasons, quarrymen, fettlers
Name at least 3 diseases that asbestos exposure can lead to? (6)
Pleural plaques Benign asbestos pleurisy Pleural fibrosis Asbestosis Lung cancer Mesothelioma
What are the 3 types of benign pleural disease?
Pleural plaques (no symptoms) Diffuse pleural thickening (restriction and breathlessness) Benign asbestos pleurisy (often with pleural effusion)
What is the initial presentation of asbestosis?
Asymptomatic
After the asymptomatic phase what are the 2 symptoms of asbestosis?
Progressive dyspnoea
Cough
What are 2 signs upon examination of asbestosis?
Crackles
Clubbing
