Asthma is a common long-term condition that can affect people of all ages. It causes inflammation (swelling) in the airways, which can sometimes make it difficult to breathe.
Symptoms of asthma include:
- Runny nose and eyes
- Wheeze
- Tight chest
- Cough
- Being short of breath
- Sneezing
Breathing in substances at work can also affect the lining of the nose, causing sneezing and a runny or blocked nose. This is called rhinitis, and can be an early warning sign of work-related asthma.
Your healthcare professional will be able to give you more information about asthma.
Silicosis is a type of lung condition caused by breathing in a fine dust that is created when working with certain types of stone, rock, sand and clay, called respirable silica dust. Breathing in silica dust over a long period of time can cause lung tissue to harden or scar (fibrosis), making it harder to breathe.
Symptoms of silicosis include:
- Dry cough
- Being short of breath
- Chest pain
Your healthcare professional will be able to give you more information about silicosis.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term condition that causes inflammation (swelling) in the lungs, damaged lung tissue and a narrowing of the airways, making breathing difficult.
Symptoms of COPD include:
- Having a cough that does not go away – you may also cough up phlegm
- Wheeze
- Tight chest
- Weight loss
- Being short of breath
- Being very tired
Your healthcare professional will be able to give you more information about COPD.