Asthma occurs when the lung’s air passages narrow, restricting airflow and making it hard to breathe. The air passages of people with asthma are particularly sensitive and can become swollen and inflamed. This leads to an increased tightening of the muscles around the airways and increased mucus production as well as wheezing, coughing and chest tightness.
There are many asthma triggers and these differ amongst individuals. An asthma attack may be triggered by the inhalation or exposure to allergens—including those from pets, dust mites, moulds and pollens. Alternatively, an attack may be triggered by:
- respiratory infections
- exercise
- cold air
- stress
- food/drug allergies
- cigarette smoke
- other pollutants.
Symptoms and characteristics:
Asthma is a condition that comes and goes and most people with asthma will have an occasional 'attack', while a few people will have symptoms every day.
People experience asthma differently—some have periodic wheezing attacks separated by symptom-free periods, while others have chronic shortness of breath or cough. Asthma symptoms can last minutes to days and can become dangerous if the airflow becomes severely restricted.
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
Asthma cannot be cured but can be well controlled with appropriate medication/treatment and proper management. Some ideas to assist with management of asthma in the workplace include:
- identification of any known asthma triggers within the workplace to allow for effective management
- if asthma is triggered by exercise or exertion provide less physically strenuous duties in the workplace when symptoms present
- provision of flexible work conditions including breaks to inhale medication and rest time to assist in effectively managing symptoms at work
- reduction of airborne pollutants, chemical vapours and dust within the workplace
- ensure adequate and well maintained ventilation
- ensuring colleagues are educated regarding asthma and emergency first aid procedures if case required within the workplace.
(Asthma Foundations of Australia 2007; Asthma Foundations of Australia 2008; Better Health Channel 2007)
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References:
Asthma Foundations of Australia 2007, About Asthma, Asthma Foundations of Australia, Melbourne, viewed 17 March 2007, <http://www.asthmaaustralia.org.au/cgi-bin/wrapper.pl?c1=aboutasthma>.
Asthma Foundations of Australia 2008, Asthma in the workplace brochure, Asthma Foundations of Australia, Melbourne, viewed 18 December 2008, <http://www.asthmaaustralia.org.au/info/workplace.pdf>.
Better Health Channel 2007, Asthma, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 18 December 2008, <http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Asthma?open>.
Better Health Channel 2007, Asthma-friendly home, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 18 December 2008, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Asthma_friendly_home?OpenDocument.