General information, not an individual diagnosis. Ask a healthcare professional if you are unsure about your situation.
New breathlessness without signs of respiratory distress requires medical assessment the same day. In France, call 15 or 112 immediately if breathing difficulty prevents you from finishing sentences or comes with bluish lips or changes in alertness. Do not wait for a later occupational-health appointment.
Substances at work may trigger asthma or worsen asthma you already have. Your doctor needs to assess that possibility and other explanations for your symptoms. Where symptoms occur is not enough to establish a diagnosis.
Describe changes you have actually noticed during work and time off. Symptoms may lessen away from exposure or persist for several days afterwards. This account helps the assessment; do not wait for your next holiday to have new breathing symptoms examined.
Prepare a description of your tasks and the names of products you handle. The occupational physician's investigation includes looking into their composition. Explain which activities coincide with symptoms and what changes between periods.
Doctors may add lung-function measurements or an allergy assessment to the investigation. They decide how these should be conducted. Do not deliberately re-expose yourself to a product to test an idea or improvise a series of tests at home.
The occupational physician may propose measures with your employer to reduce or remove exposure, such as replacing a product, extracting dust or adapting the workstation. Ask about the measures considered and follow-up. A proposal guarantees neither implementation nor recognition as an occupational disease.
Sources
Your health review
Review your health
Mon bilan prévention is an appointment to discuss your habits and choose your health priorities. Review the four age groups and practical information.