Adult-onset asthma refers to a condition where asthma sets in for the first time in someone who is middle-age or older. Breathlessness, wheezing and a productive cough are the symptoms of adult asthma.
Asthma is a long-term lung disease. A person suffering from asthma has airways that are narrow and the lining of which is persistently inflamed. Patients usually experience recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing. For most patients, the coughing occurs at night or early in the morning.
Most people think of asthma as a childhood disease, because it usually starts starts sometime during childhood. However, it affects people of all ages. When asthma is diagnosed in people older than 20 years of age, it is known as adult-onset asthma. In contrast to childhood asthma, adult-onset asthma is more persistent and permanent. Often, constant medication is required to help keep adult-onset asthma under control. In the United States, out of the over 22 million people known to have asthma, 16 million are adults.
Causes of Adult-onset Asthma
The real cause of asthma is uncertain, whether childhood or adult-onset. It is not clear why the symptoms develop at a certain age or why they often disappear (esp in children). Irritants that bring on asthma symptoms are called "asthma triggers". Asthma brought on by workplace triggers is called "occupational asthma." Adult-onset asthma is usually aggravated by trigger factors similar to those in childhood asthma. They are:
Tobacco Smoke: Smoking causes lung functions to deteriorate very quickly and permanently. This applies to second-hand smoke too. Tobacco smoke makes asthma medication less effective, making it harder to control and increasing the risk of a severe asthma attack.
Dust: Dust is an environmental irritant that annoys the nose, throat and lungs. People with asthma must try their best to avoid dusty environs, and taking up occupations such as baking, woodwork, metal foundry work, mining, etc.
Allergens: There are several indoor allergens such as pets, feather bedding, mold on walls or dust, that induce asthmatic attacks. Though a herculean task, constant efforts need to be made to keep the home and workplace free of asthma triggers.
Fumes and Strong Odors: Several people find that fumes and strong smells provoke their asthma. In the home, use of spray cans of any kind should be minimized. One must try to stay away from spray paint fumes, and heating unit fumes including kerosene heaters. Also un-fueled gas heaters should be avoided.
Infections: Viruses including the flu, pneumonia and the common cold are the most frequent triggers for people with asthma. Adults may even develop asthma after a severe attack of these viruses. Vaccination against these viruses is advised for many people with chronic respiratory conditions, however, they do not protect against all respiratory infections.
Medications: Certain medications aggravate asthma in some people. They include beta-blockers used for treating high blood pressure, angina or glaucoma, Aspirin and pain relievers called ‘non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs’ (NSAIDs). It is vital that a patient's asthma medication does not interact with any other prescribed or non-prescribed medications, without a doctor's recommendation.
Foods: Many adults are allergic to foods such as nuts or seafoods. Some people are even sensitive to food additives, commonly - sulfites (220 - 228) used as preservatives in foods and drinks and MSG. These can aggravate asthmatic conditions.
Certain adults may be more prone to adult-onset asthma. They include women experiencing hormonal changes, such as those who are pregnant or who are experiencing menopause. Also women who take estrogen following menopause for 10 years or longer are at a greater risk of developing asthma. People who have just had certain viruses or illnesses, such as a cold or flu, obese people and people with allergies (especially to cats) fall into this category.
Adult-onset asthma may be diagnosed by a lung function test using a device called a spirometer to measure how much air you can exhale after first taking a deep breath. Another indicator is a methacholine challenge test. This asthma test may be performed if your symptoms and spirometry test do not clearly show asthma. When inhaled, methacholine causes the airways to spasm and narrow if asthma is present. An X-ray is usually asked for, but does not always clearly indicate the condition.
If asthma is under-treated in adult life, it may lead to quick and irreversible deteriorating lung function. While asthma can be controlled, it has no cure. In some adult cases, it is best to use regular medication in order to protect lung function all the time, rather than risk permanent deterioration.
A good way to deal with this illness is to have a written Asthma Action Plan that tells one exactly what to do to prevent and treat asthma symptoms. Besides the many preventive measures, there are different types of inhalers available for asthma. Though, choosing the right one should be done in consultation with a doctor. Conscientious use of asthma medication that has been prescribed by the doctor is the basis of good asthma control.
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