Hi there! Thank you for your question. Asthma is a respiratory condition where there is spasms/constriction of the bronchi (part of the airway to the lungs), due to inflamed and narrowed airways in the lungs. Asthma is fully reversible through treatment. Asthma symptoms can appear at any time in life.

Adults who develop asthma are said to have adult onset asthma. There are a couple of key difference between childhood asthma and adult onset asthma. Children who often have intermittent asthma symptoms in response to triggers. Patients with adult onset asthma generally have persistent symptoms.

The symptoms of asthma are cough, wheezing (a whistling or squeaking sound in the chest), shortness of breath and chest tightness. Adult onset asthma could be triggered by allergies (prolonged exposure to allergens or irritants such as cigarette smoke, pets, chemicals, mold or dust), hormonal changes in women, different illnesses, viruses or infections.

Smoking does not cause adult onset asthma; however, if you smoke or if you are exposed to cigarette smoke (second-hand smoke), it may provoke asthma symptoms.
Several risk factors may make an adult person more likely to develop adult onset asthma such as gender (women), age more than 20, obesity and childhood asthma that disappeared.

Asthma symptoms can mimic other illnesses or diseases especially in older adults. For example hiatal hernia, GERD, heart failure, and many more can have asthma-like symptoms. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has the same symptoms as asthma. COPD is very common in older adults especially those who are or have been smokers.

Adult onset asthma is diagnosed the same way as childhood asthma, using spirometery. After middle age, most adults experience a decrease in their lung capacity. These changes in lung function may lead some to overlook asthma as a possible diagnosis.Untreated asthma can cause permanent damage and loss of lung function.

So if you are experiencing the symptoms above, go to your doctor and get yourself investigated so a diagnosis can be established and proper treatment can be given.

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