Adult-Onset Asthma: Can You Develop Asthma as an Adult?

Asthma is a fairly common lung disease. It affects over 8% of children and almost 9% of adults in the U.S. Most people with asthma get it as children, often before age 6. But can you develop asthma as an adult? 

There’s some controversy about whether you can develop asthma later in life. But the research shows it’s possible to develop asthma as an adult. Here’s what to know about adult-onset asthma. 

What is adult-onset asthma?

Adult-onset asthma is a type of asthma that starts anytime after the teen years. The medical community understands less about adult-onset asthma than childhood asthma. But researchers have linked adult-onset asthma to:

• Exposure to new asthma triggers

• New medical conditions, like allergies

• Workplace exposure to things that irritate the lungs

• Pregnancy

• Viral illnesses, like the flu

Promotional Disclosureinfo_outlined

SPECIAL OFFER

Breathe Better with Dulera

Dulera may help control and prevent symptoms of asthma. Pay as little as $199 with GoodRx.

Save now

Researchers also note that childhood asthma may reactivate in some adults. In some cases, children stop having asthma symptoms as they get older. People often say they “grew out” of their asthma. But sometimes, those asthma symptoms come back later in life. Some adults may not remember they had asthma as children, so they think their asthma symptoms are new, when it's a return of their old asthma symptoms.

What are the symptoms of asthma in adults?

Symptoms of adult-onset asthma include:

• Nighttime cough

• Cough during exercise

• Cough after being around triggers, like pollen, pets, or smoke

• Shortness of breath

• Wheezing

• Chest tightness

• Trouble breathing during exercise 

Adults with asthma may also notice that they have a harder time getting over colds. Instead of lasting 7 to 10 days, cold symptoms might last more than 2 weeks. 

Quiz: Could I have asthma?

What can cause you to develop asthma as an adult?

It’s not clear why some adults develop asthma. Childhood asthma is at least partially genetic, since it tends to run in families. But that doesn’t seem to be the case for adult-onset asthma.

Research shows that people may be at higher risk for developing asthma symptoms as adults if they:

• Work in manufacturing with things like plastic, rubber, or wood

• Smoke cigarettes or are exposed to secondhand smoke

• Become pregnant 

• Go through menopause

• Develop allergic rhinitis or nasal polyps

• Develop obesity

• Take aspirin as part of their daily medications

How do you diagnose adult-onset asthma?

Diagnosing adult-onset asthma can be tricky because it can have signs and symptoms that are similar to other conditions. For example, it can be difficult to tell the difference between adult-onset asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Heart failure may also cause coughing and difficulty breathing. 

To diagnose you, your provider will test your lung health and your response to medications that open the airways in your lungs (bronchodilators). Diagnosis can involve several steps:

• Your provider will ask you more about your symptoms, what triggers them, and how often you get them. 

• Next, they’ll ask you to blow into a small machine, like a peak flow meter or a handheld spirometer. You may need to monitor your breathing at home for a few weeks with a peak flow meter to see if there’s a pattern to your symptoms. 

• You will probably also need to have lung function tests at a specialized lab. For these, you will be asked to blow into a long plastic tube hooked up to a machine that measures how large and how strong your breath is, before and after an inhaler. 

• Last but not least, you may need some lab work and a chest X-ray.

Understanding and Treating Your Asthma: What to Ask Your Doctor

Written by Mandy Armitage, MD

How do you treat adult-onset asthma?

Together, you and your healthcare provider will decide on an asthma treatment plan based on your age, medical history, and how your symptoms are affecting your day-to-day activities. 

Here are some things to review with your healthcare provider:

• What triggers your asthma, and how to avoid these triggers

• How to spot warning symptoms of an asthma attack

• How to understand peak flow rates (if you’re using them)

• How to use quick-relief rescue medications

• The best medication options for asthma control

• How often to get lung function tests to make sure your asthma is well controlled

The GoodRx Guide to Understanding and Treating your Asthma is a great starting point for learning about your asthma and how to navigate treatment. 

Most adults do need treatment for their asthma with medications. Here are some common medications you may hear about (or try):

• A short-acting bronchodilator (airway opener), such as albuterol (Proair, Proventil), which helps with immediate relief

• A combination inhaler (which contains a corticosteroid and long-acting bronchodilator), such as budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort), which manage ongoing symptoms

If you have severe symptoms, your provider may recommend other medications, like:

• Tiotropium (Spiriva)

• Prednisone (Sterapred, Deltasone)

• Montelukast (Singulair)

• Zafirlukast (Accolate)

However, some people with adult-onset asthma don’t tend to get as much relief from inhaled corticosteroids. For people with hard-to-treat asthma, there are injectable treatments that specifically target the immune system such as omalizumab (Xolair) and mepolizumab (Nucala).      

What if you can’t afford your medication?

Asthma medication can be expensive. But taking your asthma medication regularly, and as prescribed, is key to avoiding complications and keeping your asthma symptoms at bay. 

If you’re concerned about the cost of your asthma medication, be sure to raise this with your provider. You’re not alone. Here’s the good news: Your provider can help you find the best medication for you at a price that allows you to stick with your treatment plan, without cutting corners. 

Other ways to stay healthy

In addition to medication, here are some evidence-based ways to stay healthy:

• Stop smoking and avoid being around those who smoke. This is the single best thing you can do for your breathing. It helps improve lung function, makes your lungs respond better to treatment, and lowers the risk of chest infections. 

• Avoid triggers that worsen your asthma.

• Get your flu shot each year as well as a pneumococcal vaccination (Having asthma puts you at greater risk of complications of the flu and more likely to develop pneumonia.)

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined her interests in clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Reviewed by:

Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP

Dr. Tracy Norfleet is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, health expert, and physician leader with over 20 years of experience practicing adult medicine. Dual-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Tracy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both traditional medical practices and innovative lifestyle interventions for chronic disease management and reversal.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts