Can You Develop Asthma Later in Life?

Many people associate asthma with childhood, and it does affect millions of children in the United States. However, it’s also commonly diagnosed in adults who may confuse symptoms like shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or a persistent cough during exercise with other conditions such as heart disease or the effects of aging.

Dr. Benjamin A. Laracuente is a top-rated pulmonologist who leads our team here at Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice in Monaca, Pennsylvania, providing services to surrounding Beaver County. Greatly appreciated for his medical skills and dedication to patient-focused care, Dr. Laracuente specializes in diagnosing and treating lung disorders like adult-onset asthma.

He’s happy to answer a few questions about adult-onset asthma and how it’s treated.

What causes asthma?

Asthma is a chronic disease that causes difficulty breathing due to inflammation, increased mucus production, and obstruction of the small airways that supply your lungs with oxygen. An asthma flare also causes muscles around the airways to tighten and results in chest tightness and discomfort that’s sometimes mistaken for a heart condition. 

Common underlying triggers related to adult-onset asthma include:

• Allergies
• Exposure to irritants such as smoke or fumes from household cleaning products
• Prolonged exposure to certain workplace materials
• Respiratory illnesses, viruses, or infections
• Exercise
• Exposure to extremely cold or excessively hot and humid weather
• Dry indoor environment related to air conditioning in the summer or forced heat in winter

Women are more likely than men to develop adult-onset asthma, which may be linked to the hormonal changes noted during pregnancy or menopause.

What are the symptoms of adult-onset asthma?

The symptoms of adult-onset asthma are similar to those that children experience, which include:

• Recurrent wheezing
• Persistent cough, especially at night or with exercise
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest tightness
• Symptoms triggered by cold air, exercise, or exposure to dust and other allergens

Many adults with asthma also experience delayed recovery from respiratory viruses and other illnesses that affect your airways and lungs and trigger worsening asthma symptoms.

How do you treat adult-onset asthma?

Effective treatment for adult-onset asthma starts with a thorough evaluation and accurate diagnosis of your condition. Dr. Laracunete may suggest a variety of painless pulmonary studies, such as spirometry, to measure your lung function.

Depending on your symptoms, he may also recommend studies to rule out other conditions that often accompany asthma and may worsen your symptoms, including:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hay fever and other allergies
• Persistent bacterial or viral infections
• Chronic sinusitis

Once the diagnosis is clear, rather than using a “one-size-fits-all” protocol, Dr. Laracuente develops individualized treatment strategies designed to limit long term damage caused by asthma as well as quick-relief or “rescue” from a sudden asthma flare.

Your treatment plan may include:

• Daily medication to reduce inflammation of the airways
• A rescue inhaler for quick relief from sudden asthma flares  
• Allergy treatment
• Treatment for GERD, sinusitis, etc.

Dr. Laracuente also provides instructions on how to respond to a sudden asthma attack and practical guidance on ways to identify and avoid your asthma triggers.

For outstanding pulmonary care, including effective treatment for adult-onset asthma, schedule a visit at Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice today. We’re here to help!