Adult-onset asthma is asthma that develops in adulthood. In most cases, people develop asthma during childhood, though it can arise at any age. Asthma symptoms in adults can include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and more.

According to the American Lung Association (ALA), 1 in 12 adults has asthma.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that leads to problems breathing. It causes narrowing and inflammation of the airways and increased mucus production.

This article provides an overview of adult-onset asthma, including its possible causes, symptoms, and treatments.

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Doctors are not sure why asthma develops in some adults, but certain factors, such as exposure to chemicals or irritants in the workplace, can cause adult-onset asthma.

According to the ALA, 1 in 6 cases of adult-onset asthma occurs due to occupational exposures. Substances that cause asthma symptoms are called asthmagens.

Another possible cause is allergies. Allergies trigger at least 30% of cases of adult asthma.

Various allergens may trigger asthma symptoms in adults. Common allergens include:

  • cigarette smoke
  • some chemicals
  • dust
  • pollen
  • mold

Similar to asthma that develops in childhood, symptoms of adult-onset asthma may include:

Childhood and adult asthma have several similarities, such as symptoms and standard treatment, but there are also differences.

The severity of symptoms can vary in both children and adults.

Asthma that develops in childhood often involves symptoms that come and go. In adult-onset asthma, symptoms are more likely to be persistent and less well controlled.

Adults that develop asthma may have faster lung function decline than children. Adults, especially by middle age, may have stiffening of the chest wall, which can make treating asthma more difficult.

Adults are also at a higher risk of death due to asthma than children. In 2019, 3,524 people died from asthma. Almost all of these people were over 18 years old.

The reasons why adults have a higher rate of asthma-related death are not clear. It may be because symptoms tend to be less well-controlled than children or because of a delay in diagnosis.

It is vital to get an accurate diagnosis of adult-onset asthma in order to develop the most effective treatment plan.

In many cases, adult-onset asthma takes longer to diagnose than asthma in childhood. This is partly due to confusion with other conditions that occur in adults but are rare in children. For example, asthma that develops in adulthood is sometimes confused with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Doctors can diagnose adult-onset asthma through a physical exam, medical history, and lung-function tests. A lung-function test involves a series of breathing tests that measure how much air a person can inhale and exhale.

Daily prevention of asthma involves taking medications as prescribed. It is also vital to monitor symptoms every day and recognize signs of a flare-up.

Treating symptoms as soon as possible helps get asthma exacerbations under control, preventing life-threatening situations.

Decreasing exposure to lung irritants and allergens is also part of a daily asthma prevention plan.

People may benefit from keeping a daily log of the severity of their symptoms and exposures to different irritants to determine a connection. Reducing exposure to known allergens as much as possible helps decrease symptoms.

Certain factors may put a person at an increased chance of developing asthma as an adult:

  • having asthma as a child that disappeared in early adulthood
  • having allergies as an adult
  • hormonal fluctuations, such as those occurring in pregnancy and menopause
  • obesity, which can increase the severity of asthma symptoms and risk of hospitalization

The rate of asthma and asthma episodes is highest among Black Americans. Black Americans are five times more likely to visit the emergency room because of asthma. Black females have the highest death rates due to asthma. Asthma illness and death are highly connected to city air quality, poverty, indoor allergens, and lack of asthma care and education.

The outlook for adult-onset asthma varies. Adult-onset asthma can involve more persistent symptoms than asthma in children, which may mean a worse prognosis.

Following an asthma action plan may decrease flare-ups and help people manage the condition. An asthma treatment plan often includes medication and lifestyle changes.

Adults who develop symptoms of asthma can work closely with their healthcare provider to learn more about their condition and management strategies.