The history reveals a pattern of worsening symptoms associated with exposure to a specific agent or workplace environment. Making the association with the correct allergen can be very difficult.
Wheezing may be heard when listening to the chest with a stethoscope (auscultation).
Tests used in the diagnosis of occupational asthma may include:
- pulmonary function tests
- measurement of the peak expiratory flow rate (peak-flow) before and after work
- chest X-ray
- CBC
- bronchial provocation test (test measuring reaction to the suspected allergen)
- blood tests to reveal specific antibodies to suspected offending substances
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