Adult-Onset Asthma

Adult-onset asthma is a common occurrence that happens when a person is diagnosed with asthma after the age of 20. Many times, adult asthma is caused by allergies. Allergies and asthma go hand-in-hand and when a person has severe allergies, they can develop asthma symptoms as well.

Asthma is a disorder that causes inflammation in the airways. Asthma can cause difficulty breathing, wheezing and shortness of breath. In many cases asthma is something that comes on early in life. Although, lots of people end up being diagnosed with adult asthma. Certain symptoms can warn you of an asthma diagnosis. These symptoms include swelling and inflammation, frequent coughing, chest tightness and wheezing. If you experience any of these symptoms, even if you’ve never had asthma before, you should speak with your doctor.

There are some instances where adult asthma is more common. Women who are pregnant or going through menopause are known to get adult asthma. Also, women who take a hormonal supplement. Although it is not proven, it most likely has to do with the change in hormone levels. People who have allergies are also prone to experience adult asthma. One of the main causes of asthma is allergies, so if you develop allergies at an older age, you may develop adult asthma. Adult asthma caused by allergies is sometimes due to allergens in the workplace.

Sometimes, adult asthma is caused by having the flu or another illness. This is more common among adults because they are less likely to take care of the problem when it arises. Some other causes of adult asthma are tobacco smoke, perfume, mold and dust. The reason that symptoms may not occur until adulthood is because children are not exposed to these allergens on a regular basis. Many adults smoke cigarettes, use perfume and are in dust-filled work environments.

If you think you may have adult-onset asthma there are a few simple things that can tell you for sure. Speak with your doctor about the symptoms you have been experiencing. He may do a breathing test to determine if the asthma threat exists. A few other ways to find out are chest x-rays and a methacholine challenge test. So speak with your doctor today and stop the problem right away.