occupational illness

occupational illness

Any acute or chronic disorder associated with or caused by an individual's occupation.

See: table; chronic lead poisoning

Condition	Exposed Workers
Anemia	Lead (battery reclaimers, shipyard workers)
Asbestosis	Shipyard workers and others exposed to asbestos fibers
Asthma	Meat wrappers, woodworkers, those exposed to platinum, nickel, solder, ammonia, cotton dust, formaldehyde, pesticides
Byssinosis	Cotton textile workers
Cancer	People who work with radioactive materials (health care, lab workers), x-ray workers (industrial and health care), miners
Carpal tunnel syndrome	Typists, computer programmers, and other people who work with their hands
Contact dermatitis	Health care workers using latex gloves, and florists
Decompression sickness	Divers, marine salvage workers
Hearing impairment	People who work in noisy environments without adequate ear protection
Leptospirosis	Veterinarians
Pneumoconiosis	Coal miners
Pneumonitis	Wood workers (esp. red cedar), mushroom growers, cheese handlers, and farmers
Silicosis	Miners, foundry workers
Skin granulomas	Beryllium workers (e.g., in auto or aircraft industries)
Tennis or golfer's elbow	Carpenters, plumbers, and athletes
Vibration syndrome, including Raynaud's phenomenon	Truck drivers, hand-vibrating drill operators, jackhammer workers

SOURCE: Starkey, C, Brown, S, and Ryan, J: Examination of Orthopedic and Athletic Injuries, ed 3, FA Davis, Philadelphia, 2010. *As determined by the rectal temperature ** Within normal limits for an exercising athlete

Evaluation Finding	Heat Cramps	Heat Syncope	Heat Exhaustion	Heat Stroke
Hydration Status	Dehydrated	Dehydrated	Dehydrated	Dehydrated
Core Temperature*	Within normal limits**	Within normal limits	102° – 104°F (38.9° – 40°C)	Greater than 104°F (40°C)
Skin Color and Temperature	Within normal limits	Within normal limits	Cool/clammy	Hot
Pale	Red
Pulse	Within normal limits	Decreased	Rapid and weak	Increased
Blood Pressure	Within normal limits	A sudden, imperceptible drop in blood pressure, which rapidly returns to normal	Low	High
Respiration	Within normal limits	Within normal limits	Hyperventilation	Rapid hyperventilation
Mental State	Within normal limits	Fatigue	Dizziness	Dizziness
Possible fatigue	Dizziness	Fatigue	Drowsiness
	Fainting	Slight confusion	Confusion/ disorientation
		Emotional instability
Violent Behavoir
Neuromuscular Changes	Cramping in one or more muscles		Muscle cramps	Weakness
Weakness	Decerebrate posture
Gastrointestinal and Urinary Changes			Intestinal Cramping	Nausea
Nausea	Vomiting
Vomiting	Diarrhea
Diarrhea
Decreased Urinary output
Central Nervous System			Syncope	Headache
Headache	Unconsciousness
	Seizures
	Coma
Other Findings	Thirst	“Tunnel vision” may be reported	Thirst	Dilated pupils
		Loss of appetite (anorexia)
		Chills

See also: illness