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

Asthma is a fairly common lung condition. 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 the age of 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. 

Can you develop asthma as an adult?

Yes. Adult-onset asthma is a type of asthma that begins at any time after the teenage 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

• Developing new medical conditions, like allergies

• Workplace exposure to things that irritate your lungs

• Pregnancy

• Viral illnesses, like the flu

Researchers also note that childhood asthma may reactivate in some adults. In some cases, children stop having asthma symptoms as they grow 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 having asthma as children. So, when symptoms return, they may think it’s new asthma, when it’s actually a return of their old asthma symptoms.

What are the symptoms of asthma in adults?

Symptoms of adult-onset asthma include:

• Nighttime cough

• Coughing during exercise

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

• Shortness of breath

• Wheezing

• Chest tightness

• Trouble breathing during exercise 

Adults with asthma may also find it harder to get 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 adults may be at higher risk for developing asthma symptoms 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 (hay fever) or nasal polyps

• Develop obesity

• Take aspirin as part of their daily medications

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• Why are my lungs like this? There may be more than one reason for your asthma. Here’s how your genes and surrounding environment can each play a role.

• What is it like to live with asthma? Follow one internal medicine physician’s journey managing severe asthma. 

• Will quitting smoking cure asthma? See how smoking affects asthma symptoms.

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 healthcare team will test your lung health and see how your lungs respond to medications that open your airways (called bronchodilators). The diagnosis can involve several steps:

• You’ll be asked more about your symptoms, what triggers them, and how often they happen. 

• Next, you may be asked 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 look for symptom patterns. 

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

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

How do you treat adult-onset asthma?

You and your healthcare team will work together to decide on an asthma treatment plan based on your age, medical history, and how your symptoms affect your daily activities. 

Here are some things to review with your healthcare professional:

• What triggers your asthma and how to avoid those 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 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 to learn more about your asthma and how to navigate treatment. 

Most adults with asthma need medications to treat asthma. Here are some common medications you may hear about (or try):

• A short-acting bronchodilator (airway opener), like 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 manages ongoing symptoms

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

• Tiotropium (Spiriva)

• Prednisone (Sterapred, Deltasone)

• Montelukast (Singulair)

• Zafirlukast (Accolate)

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 your immune system — such as omalizumab (Xolair) or 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 keeps your asthma symptoms at bay. 

If you’re concerned about the cost of your asthma medication, be sure to raise this with your healthcare team. You’re not alone. The good news is your healthcare team can help you find options that work best for you — and fit your budget — so you can stick to 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 lungs. It helps improve lung function, makes your treatment work better, and lowers your 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 for flu complications and pneumonia.

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Written by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined 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:

Christine Giordano, MD

Christine Giordano, MD, is board-certified in general internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University.

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