While most people with asthma develop it during childhood, there are also cases where asthma starts in adulthood.
What Is Adult-Onset Asthma?
Asthma itself is a chronic lung condition that leads to breathing difficulties. The disease leads to airway narrowing and inflammation and also fuels the production of mucus.
Adult-onset asthma refers to asthma that starts in adulthood. Among adults, asthma symptoms could include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, among other symptoms.
The exact reason why asthma may develop among adults remains uncertain. However, it has been found that there are factors, including irritant or chemical exposure in the workplace, that could lead to adult-onset asthma.
The American Lung Association notes that 1 out of 6 adult-onset asthma cases takes place due to occupation-related exposures. Specific substances that may lead to asthma symptoms are referred to as asthmagens.
Allergies could also be another possible cause, as allergies are responsible for at least 30% of adult-onset asthma cases. Common allergens that could trigger symptoms include certain chemicals, cigarette smoke, pollen, dust, and mold.
Getting an accurate adult-onset asthma diagnosis is crucial in order to have a treatment plan that is most effective. In several cases, it may take longer to diagnose adult-onset asthma compared to childhood asthma. This is partially because of confusion with other medical conditions among adults that are rare among children. For instance, adult-onset asthma can be confused with another condition known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Adult-onset asthma can be diagnosed through lung-function tests, medical history check, and a physical exam. On the other hand, treatment can involve a mix of medication and lifestyle changes.
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How Is Adult-Onset Asthma Different From Childhood Asthma?
Both adult-onset and childhood-onset asthma share several similarities, such as standard treatments and symptoms. However, there are also significant differences.
Symptom severity may vary across adults and children. Asthma that starts in childhood typically covers symptoms that just come and go. However, for adult-onset asthma, the symptoms tend to persist more and to be less controlled.
Moreover, the decline in lung function among adults who develop asthma could be faster compared to children. These adults, especially those who are middle-aged, could experience chest wall stiffening. This, in turn, could increase the difficulties with asthma treatment.
Death risk is also higher among adults compared to children. It was reported that 3,524 individuals died in 2019 due to asthma. Almost all of them were over 18 years of age. The exact reasons behind this higher death rate remains unclear. It could be due to how symptoms are less well-controlled among adults compared to children or because the diagnosis was delayed.
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