A person who is middle-aged or older can sometimes develop asthma. This is called adult onset asthma. Careful diagnosis is important, because the symptoms can be confused with other illnesses of middle age, such as some types of heart disease. Asthma in adults can be a recurrence of childhood asthma. In some cases, the asthma simply persists into adulthood. In others, the childhood asthma clears up, only to reappear later in life as adult onset asthma. If you weren’t diagnosed with asthma in your childhood, perhaps your symptoms were misdiagnosed as bronchitis or some other illness.
Asthma symptoms
The usual asthma symptoms are present, including:
- Breathlessness
- Wheezing
- Cough, especially at night
- A feeling of tightness in the chest
- Production of mucus.
Cigarette smoke
Cigarette smoke is a powerful trigger of asthma symptoms. Other lung illnesses are caused by smoking, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It is often hard to tell whether someone has adult onset asthma or some other kind of smoking-related illness because the symptoms can be similar. Managing your symptoms means quitting cigarettes.
Similar triggers
People with adult onset asthma are sensitive to the same kinds of triggers that bring on symptoms in younger people with asthma. Managing adult onset asthma means limiting the amount of exposure to your particular triggers, which could include:
- Allergens such as pollen or mould
- Cigarette smoke
- Dust mite allergen
- Fumes and strong odours
- Infections
- Medications such as beta-blockers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
A permanent condition
You will need constant medication to keep your symptoms under control for the rest of your life.
Regular medication is important
As people age, their lungs become less efficient. Adult onset asthma in a person of middle-age or older can speed up the deterioration of lung functioning. Once lung functioning has deteriorated, it never recovers, so it is important that adult onset asthma be properly managed. This might mean taking preventive medication on a daily basis to protect their lung function at all times.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- Your local pharmacy
- Asthma Victoria
Things to remember
- Adult onset asthma could be a recurrence of your childhood asthma.
- The symptoms can be confused with other illnesses of middle age, such as heart disease.
- People with adult onset asthma often need to take preventive medication to protect their lung function.
You might also be interested in:
Asthma.
Asthma-friendly home.
Asthma and allergens.
Asthma and smoking.
Asthma and your workplace.
Asthma facts.
Asthma management.
Asthma management can be improved.
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Asthma and adults.
