Asthma is commonly thought to be a childhood condition, but it can actually develop at any age. In a 2021 study focusing on asthma in the US, results found that there were over 20 million adults diagnosed with asthma compared to 4.67 million children.
Risk factors for adult-onset asthma include hormonal changes, allergies, poor air quality, respiratory infections, smoking, obesity, and certain medical conditions like GERD. While asthma is a lifelong condition, some individuals may experience remission, but symptoms can return due to environmental triggers or lifestyle changes. Effective management can include long-term controller medications, antihistamines, and immunotherapy, which help reduce symptoms and prevent attacks.
What Can Cause a Patient to Develop Asthma in Adulthood?
Adult-onset asthma, sometimes called late-onset asthma, can appear at any time in an adult’s life, and the causes aren’t entirely known. Researchers have not found a particular event or series of events that cause someone to start suffering from asthma. Instead, they have observed factors and conditions that can increase a person’s chances of developing it.
Risk Factors for Adult-Onset Asthma
Sex
Females and AFAB (assigned female at birth) patients are at an increased risk of developing asthma as an adult rather than in childhood due to more drastic changes in hormone levels. Women and AFAB patients who receive estrogen treatments are at an even greater risk of developing asthma.
History of Allergies
Patients who also suffer from allergies are at an increased risk of developing asthma later in life, whether they have experienced allergies since childhood or since becoming an adult.
Workplace Environments
Those who work in environments with low-quality air—air contaminated with chemicals, irritants, mold spores, and other air-polluting particles—are at an increased risk of developing asthma in adulthood.
Home Environments
Those whose homes have increased amounts of mold spores, dust mites, pet dander, and otherwise polluted or low-quality air can develop adult-onset asthma.
Developing Other Conditions
Patients who develop certain conditions, such as acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), experience elevated chances of developing asthma, too.
Contracting Respiratory Viruses
Some adults who contract a severe respiratory virus, such as the flu, pneumonia, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), can also risk developing late-onset asthma.
Habits – Particularly Smoking or Vaping
Certain habits that some adults may partake in, particularly smoking or vaping, can raise a person’s likelihood of developing asthma as an adult.
Excessive Weight or Obesity
Patients who carry around excess weight can be placing strain on the respiratory system, increasing the possibility of experiencing late-onset asthma.
If Asthma Can Suddenly Develop, Can Asthma Go Away?
Asthma is considered to be a life-long condition. So, once you develop it, you’ll always be regarded as an asthma patient.
However, it is possible to experience fewer and fewer attacks, almost to the point where it feels as if your asthma has gone away or gone into remission.
Those most likely to experience asthma that has seemingly “gone into remission” include:
- Males
- Those who develop asthma well into adulthood
- Those with mild asthma symptoms
- Those with stronger lungs and strong breathing function
- Those who are not frequently exposed to low-quality air or asthma-triggering allergens
Can Asthma Go Into Remission But Then Come Back?
Absolutely. If you are an asthma patient who has not experienced symptoms or an asthma attack in years, there is still always the possibility of experiencing one again. It cannot be predicted as to when, but environmental factors, like being exposed to low-quality air or irritants, developing a smoking habit, gaining excessive amounts of weight, or contracting a respiratory infection, can trigger your asthma to resurface.
Can Asthma Treatments Reduce My Chances of Experiencing Asthma Symptoms?
Yes! Certain medications or treatment programs can help you reduce the number of asthma attacks or asthma symptoms you experience.
Long-Term Controllers
Keeping up with your long-term controller medications can reduce the number of asthma attacks you experience. This medicine should be taken every day, even if it feels like symptoms have improved or gone away completely. Stopping your long-term controller medication regimen could trigger your asthma symptoms to start back up.
Antihistamines
Preparing yourself for seasonal allergy season by preemptively taking over-the-counter antihistamine medications in addition to your long-term controller medications can help you reduce asthma attacks.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, is a viable way to reduce asthma attacks and allergic reactions to triggers like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and others. Immunotherapy is a years-long process with long-lasting effects for patients who stick to the treatment and shot schedule.
Wondering if you have developed asthma as an adult? Talk to the team at Langford Allergy about asthma testing and treatments.
Dr. Langford, Dr. Mathew, and our team of asthma specialists offer specialized care and treatment to all asthma patients, from pediatric patients to those who develop asthma well into adulthood. We create individualized and effective treatment and management plans that mitigate asthma attacks and encourage stronger, better breathing at any stage of life.
Schedule an asthma appointment today: 478-787-4728
Langford Allergy delivers allergy, asthma, and immunodeficiency care to patients throughout Middle Georgia, including:
- Bonaire, GA
- Byron, GA
- Forsyth, GA
- Fort Valley, GA
- Gray, GA
- Macon, GA
- Milledgeville, GA
- Perry, GA
- Warner Robins, GA
And other surrounding areas.
Recent articles: