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14/09/2004
Guidelines highlight occupational asthma link
Doctors and practice nurses were today called on to identify the possible cause of asthma when diagnosing patients, especially where the disease may be traced to the workplace.
New guidelines issued today have asked doctors and practice nurses to help prevent occupational asthma by, for example, asking patients about the nature of their work and their workplace.
The guidelines published today by the British Occupational Health Research Foundation (BOHRF), supported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), will help doctors and practice nurses recognise and report asthma cases where the disease may have been caused or exacerbated at work.
For at least one in 10 of all adults who suffer from asthma, work is the cause. There are between 1,500 and 3,000 new cases each year, costing society £1.16 billion over the next 10 years. But these figures are an under-estimate; many asthma cases go unreported because doctors do not identify work as the possible cause. And many more cases, though not caused by work, are made worse by it.
Asthma is a debilitating disease which can strip people of their health and their livelihood. It is especially prevalent in the UK, where 4% of adults are asthma sufferers.
Spray painters, other metal or electrical processors, plastics workers, bakers, farm workers and laboratory technicians are among high-risk category occupations.
Early identification of the cause is crucial when prescribing treatment and preventing long-term damage to the lungs, according to the guidelines.
Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission said: "Individuals, companies and professional bodies can all play their part in reducing cases of occupational asthma and consequent days lost. These new guidelines will help identify the disease at an earlier stage, enabling treatment to be given more quickly and reducing the number of cases."
(gmcg/mb)
New guidelines issued today have asked doctors and practice nurses to help prevent occupational asthma by, for example, asking patients about the nature of their work and their workplace.
The guidelines published today by the British Occupational Health Research Foundation (BOHRF), supported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), will help doctors and practice nurses recognise and report asthma cases where the disease may have been caused or exacerbated at work.
For at least one in 10 of all adults who suffer from asthma, work is the cause. There are between 1,500 and 3,000 new cases each year, costing society £1.16 billion over the next 10 years. But these figures are an under-estimate; many asthma cases go unreported because doctors do not identify work as the possible cause. And many more cases, though not caused by work, are made worse by it.
Asthma is a debilitating disease which can strip people of their health and their livelihood. It is especially prevalent in the UK, where 4% of adults are asthma sufferers.
Spray painters, other metal or electrical processors, plastics workers, bakers, farm workers and laboratory technicians are among high-risk category occupations.
Early identification of the cause is crucial when prescribing treatment and preventing long-term damage to the lungs, according to the guidelines.
Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission said: "Individuals, companies and professional bodies can all play their part in reducing cases of occupational asthma and consequent days lost. These new guidelines will help identify the disease at an earlier stage, enabling treatment to be given more quickly and reducing the number of cases."
(gmcg/mb)
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25 November 2010
Workplace Asthma Costs UK At Least £100 Million A Year
Workplace asthma costs the UK at least £100 million a year, and may be as high as £135 million, reveals research published online in Thorax. An estimated 3,000 new cases of occupational asthma are diagnosed every year in the UK, but the condition is under diagnosed, say the authors.
Workplace Asthma Costs UK At Least £100 Million A Year
Workplace asthma costs the UK at least £100 million a year, and may be as high as £135 million, reveals research published online in Thorax. An estimated 3,000 new cases of occupational asthma are diagnosed every year in the UK, but the condition is under diagnosed, say the authors.
17 February 2015
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
28 January 2015
NHS Watchdog To Issue Asthma Treatment Guidelines
NHS watchdog, NICE, said it believes that more than one million adults in the UK have been wrongly diagnosed as asthmatic. According to the watchdog a third of adults diagnosed with the common lung condition show "no clinical signs" of asthma.
NHS Watchdog To Issue Asthma Treatment Guidelines
NHS watchdog, NICE, said it believes that more than one million adults in the UK have been wrongly diagnosed as asthmatic. According to the watchdog a third of adults diagnosed with the common lung condition show "no clinical signs" of asthma.
06 May 2014
UK Asthma Patients Dies Due The Lack Of Care
The first confidential enquiry report from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), Why asthma still kills, found nearly half (45%, 87 patients) of those included in this study who died from asthma did not have any medical help during the final asthma attack.
UK Asthma Patients Dies Due The Lack Of Care
The first confidential enquiry report from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), Why asthma still kills, found nearly half (45%, 87 patients) of those included in this study who died from asthma did not have any medical help during the final asthma attack.
27 April 2004
UK lung disease death rate is highest in Europe
The European Respiratory Society have produced a new report that states that more people in the UK die from lung diseases, such as asthma and pneumonia, than in any other European Union country.
UK lung disease death rate is highest in Europe
The European Respiratory Society have produced a new report that states that more people in the UK die from lung diseases, such as asthma and pneumonia, than in any other European Union country.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
