Occupational Lung Diseases

Question 1

What is pneumoconiosis

Answer 1

Occupational lung disease caused by the inhalation of dust, it is irreversible

Question 2

What is occupational asthma

Answer 2

Asthma caused by stimuli in the work place, it is usually reversible

Exposure in workplace may irritate the lungs to cause bronchospasm or it sensitise the immune system to cause a IgE response which leads to an allergic response

Question 3

Occupations that can increase chance of occupational asthma

Answer 3

Question 4

How to test for occupational asthma

Answer 4

We can use a spirometer to measure their FEV1 (forced expiratory volume), we can also measure before and after a bronchodilator was given to see if it is reversible

Question 5

What does this x-ray show of someone who was exposed to asbestos

Answer 5

Pleural plaque on left pleural surface

Question 6

What does this CT scan show of someone who was exposed to asbestos

Answer 6

Question 7

Asbestos related lung diseases

Answer 7

Benign pleural disease (pleural plaques and diffuse pleural thickening)
Asbestosis (pulmonary fibrosis)
Asbestos related lung cancer
Malignant mesothelioma