Symptoms of the Onset of Adult Asthma

Asthma occurs when the bronchial tubes in the lungs swell and become inflamed. The bronchial tubes circulate air through the lungs and when they become constricted, air flow is reduced. Asthma also causes tightening in the muscles that surround the airways. When this happens, excess mucus is produced in the lungs, making breathing even more difficult.

Symptoms of adult onset asthma include coughing, difficulty breathing and a feeling of pressure or tightness in the chest. The cough may bother you more at night and exposure to certain substances, such as perfume or smoke, may cause you to cough more than usual. You may notice that you are wheezing when you breathe and may have trouble catching your breath after exercise. Colds may last longer than normal.

Your doctor will perform an examination, listen to a description of your symptoms and ask for a medical history. You may undergo allergy testing, as approximately 50 percent of adults who have asthma also have allergies. A lung function test called a spirometer will be performed to determine how much air you can exhale after taking a deep breath. A chest X-ray may be ordered to rule out other conditions that can cause symptoms similar to asthma. If the spirometry test doesn't show evidence of asthma, your doctor may recommend a methacholine challenge test. During this test, you will inhale methacholine, a substance that causes the bronchial tubes to narrow if asthma is present. After inhaling the methacholine, you will again take a spirometry test. If your lung capacity drops by at least 20 percent, it is a good indication that you have asthma.

You may be more likely to develop adult onset asthma if you have just had an illness or virus, such as a cold, bronchitis or sinusitis, or are obese. Exposure to environmental irritants, such as mold, tobacco smoke, dust, perfume or feather beds or pillows are also risk factors. The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) increases with age and people with this condition are at an increased risk of developing asthma. GERD occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter does not close properly and stomach contents flow back into the esophagus. Because women are more likely to develop asthma then men, doctors believe that changing hormone levels may contribute, particularly during pregnancy or menopause.

The symptoms of adult onset asthma may be continuous, while in children, symptoms can be sporadic. Most adults must take daily medication in order to keep their asthma symptoms under control. After middle age, lung capacity tends to drop slightly and it may be difficult to determine if your reduced lung capacity is due to asthma or natural changes.

Brochodilators and anti-inflammatories are used to keep airways open, decrease mucus production and reduce inflammation. Asthma maintenance drugs are available in pill or inhaler form, depending on the type of medication, and are taken daily. In addition to using daily medication, you may need to use a rescue inhaler occasionally. Rescue inhalers are used to quickly ease symptoms in the event of an asthma attack and are used before exercise or exertion if you have exercise-induced asthma. Allergy treatment may be recommended if allergies are contributing to asthma and antacids may be suggested if GERD is problem.