Asthma - The Chronic Disease
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood and in most cases asthma develops as a child. Some adults do develop asthma later in life which is known as 'adult onset asthma'. A chronic disease by definition is a disease that continues once you get it. It can be controlled but there is no cure. So once you have developed asthma it is important to understand and recognise the triggers, symptoms and learn how to cope with the onset of an attack.
What is asthma?
Basically it is a condition that affects the airways. Some form of irritation will cause the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs to become inflamed, thus narrow causing difficulties breathing.
The irritation (also known as a trigger) can be many things, some of the most common being pollen, dust mites, animal fur, cigarette smoke, viral infections (cold and flu). There are many more triggers and as there are so many it is important to identify the trigger in order to help control asthma.
During an asthma attack there are three main changes to the lungs:
- The irritation causes the airway to become inflamed. The cells within the lung produce a thick mucus which may block the airway.
- The airway swells
- The muscles around the airway tighten causing the airway to narrow
What are the statistics?
5.4 million people within the UK are currently receiving treatment for asthma and 1.1 million children are receiving treatment. In 2006 there were 1200 deaths from asthma, 40 of which were children age 14 or under.
The information above just touches on the surface of asthma and a huge amount of other information to help you or which you can use to help others can be found on the Asthma UK charity website
Occupational and Work Related Asthma
Substances such as flour, various types of dusts and small particles and fumes within the workplace can cause Occupational Asthma. These irritants cause an allergic reaction which results in a hypersensitive state in the airways. This ultimately results in breathing difficulties, possible runny nose, sneezing, itchy and/or red eyes. All of this is as a result of a restriction in the airways. Occupational Asthma is determined to be as a result of work-related irritants and not normally as a result of a pre-existing asthma condition. An existing condition of Asthma which is exacerbated by substances at work is known as Work Related Asthma.
www.hse.gov.uk/asthma/furtherreading.htm
Guidance for Employers
As an Employer there are many things you can do to help to retain a healthy workforce. Indeed the COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations require that employers control exposures of hazardous substances to protect employees health. Any substance which could cause Occupational or Work Related Asthma is considered to be a hazardous substance.
Appendix 3 of the COSHH Approved Code of Practice provides details of the control of substances that cause Occupational/Work Related Asthma. www.hse.gov.uk/asthma/acop.htm
For more information and guidance as an Employer go to www.hse.gov.uk/asthma/employers.htm
What the HSE are doing
The Health & Safety Executive are working hard on various projects to help reduce the risks of Occupational/Work Related Asthma and to raise awareness to help with diagnosis and management.
The Occupational Asthma Special Interest Group is a group of occupational health care professionals and safety practitioners which has been set up to help the cause. Their objective is to share knowledge and work together to find solutions to help prevent the causes of Occupational/Work Related Asthma.
What do you know already? The link below is a quiz which can be found on the HSE website. Why not have a go? www.hse.gov.uk/asthma/quiz.htm
