Is It Allergies or Adult-Onset Asthma?

Experiencing coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing can be unsettling, and many assume common illnesses are to blame. However, these respiratory symptoms could indicate asthma, even if you’ve never received a diagnosis before – including in adulthood.

What is Adult-Onset Asthma?

Adult-onset asthma, as the name suggests, is a form of the condition where symptoms first appear later in life. It’s more prevalent than many realise, particularly among older adults.

Did You Know? Adult-onset asthma can develop without any prior childhood history of the condition.

Dr. Ramon Tallaj, an internist and founder and chair of SOMOS Community Care, explains that adult-onset asthma is often linked to cumulative environmental exposure, chronic airway inflammation, respiratory infections, obesity, or other underlying medical conditions.

Sometimes, asthma initially develops in childhood but remains “dormant,” causing minimal or no symptoms until adulthood, according to Dr. Mauli Desai, an associate professor of medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Triggers for asthma in adults can include exercise, pet dander, mold, and exposure to irritants like smoke and perfume, adds Dr. Desai, who is also codirector at Montefiore Medical Center.

An Underdiagnosed Condition

Adult-onset asthma is frequently overlooked because of the common assumption that asthma is primarily a childhood illness. The similarity of its symptoms to those of other heart and lung conditions also contributes to misdiagnosis, according to Dr. Tallaj.

Expert Insight: The potential for delayed diagnosis highlights the importance of considering asthma as a possibility even in individuals without a childhood history of the condition, particularly in communities where access to routine healthcare may be limited.

“Early identification in the primary care setting is critical, especially in underserved communities where routine care may be delayed,” Dr. Tallaj states.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes adult-onset asthma?

Adult-onset asthma can be associated with cumulative environmental exposure, chronic airway inflammation, respiratory infections, obesity, or other medical conditions, according to Dr. Tallaj.

Can asthma symptoms disappear and then reappear?

Yes, asthma can develop in childhood but may remain dormant for years, causing few or no symptoms, before flaring up again later in life, says Dr. Desai.

What can trigger asthma in adults?

Exercise, pet dander, mold, smoke, and perfume are among the triggers that can cause asthma symptoms in adults, according to Dr. Desai.

If you’re experiencing new or worsening respiratory symptoms, could a conversation with your healthcare provider about the possibility of adult-onset asthma be a beneficial next step?