$Unique_ID{BRK02371}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What Are the Causes of Asthma?}
$Subject{breathing problems asthma bronchial constriction occupational baker
baker's miller miller's toluene diisocyanate tdi breath breathe problem
bronchial lung lungs bronchi bronchioles constricted asthmatic work place
occupation}
$Volume{H-5,Q-5}
$Log{
Anatomy of the Bronchial Tree*0005902.scf}

Copyright (c) 1992,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Are the Causes of Asthma?


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QUESTION:  Recent breathing problems have been identified by my physician as a
case of asthma.  This took me completely by surprise, but set me to wondering
if there might be something on my job that could cause this disease to develop
at this stage of my life.  I am a 32 year old male, and there is no history of
such ailments in my family.  What can you tell me?

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ANSWER:  I could probably tell you a lot more if you had indicated your type
of employment in your letter.  Another example of just how important the
history is in tracking down the cause or origin of a disease.
     It is not easy to point out any specific agents that could provoke the
bronchial constriction that typifies occupational asthma, as there are more
than 100 known causes.  However, we can develop a workable search plan by
dividing the possible causes into animal, vegetable or mineral (chemical)
categories, and you can figure out those that might apply in your case.
     The most common animal sources are hair, dander, and saliva.  These
particles, carried through the air, cause an immediate type of response, and
is characteristic of the type of asthma seen in people who work in close
contact with animals on a daily basis.  Of the vegetable type antigens, flour
is the most common, which may be made of any of the cereal grains, including
wheat and barley.  This is frequently called "baker's asthma" or "miller's
asthma".  However wood dust, particularly from the western red cedar, is
another vegetable cause, affecting mill workers.  One of the most common
chemical agents known to cause asthma is toluene diisocyanate (or TDI for
simplicity sake).  This chemical is found in many products, like polyurethane
foam, paint products and acrylics.  About 5 percent to 10 percent of people
exposed to this powerful chemical may develop asthma.  The onset of symptoms
may not be immediate, but will only become apparent hours after the work day
exposure is over.
     If you work at a large plant, you may be able to get more help from your
own medical staff, who may have seen cases like yours in the recent past.
Once you have a suspect, further testing is necessary to establish the exact
cause of your asthma.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.