Asthma is nothing to play with, at any age! Unfortunately, it’s not something you’re always born with or that develops when you’re young - adult-onset asthma is a real thing!
According to the Allergy and Asthma Association, approximately 10 people die from asthma each year, and in 2019, 3,524 died from asthma. Asthmatics are often prescribed inhalers to either control their asthma daily or have ones like mine, designed for when they are having trouble breathing and/or feel an impending attack.
I was diagnosed with asthma as a child, and my adult symptoms are fatigue, sleep disturbances, frequent sighing and deep inhaling. I find it very difficult to breathe when it’s very warm/humid outside and extremely cold. I have an inhaler that I only use when I am having a flare-up or I am recovering from an attack.
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There is not a definitive answer as to what causes adult-onset asthma. Sometimes people have it their whole lives, only for it to really flare up in adulthood. It could also be a matter of encountering new chemicals and allergens that you weren't exposed to previously and your body just not being used to it. Needless to say, there’s a variety of reasons!
Signs of adult asthma
According to Baptist Health South Florida, here are some signs of adult-onset asthma:
- Dry coughing - you know that cough that doesn’t really cause that rattle in your chest and probably leaves your throat relatively sore? That’s usually a dry cough.
- Sleep disturbances - are you waking up at night randomly and catching your breath like you almost forgot or stopped breathing? Sleep disturbances like that can be a sign of adult-onset asthma.
- Frequent yawning or sighing - yawning can be a sign of boredom or being tired, but it can also be your body trying to pull more oxygen in when it feels like it isn’t getting enough.
- Heartburn - acid reflux and heartburn are common symptoms that accompany asthma.
- Fatigue - asthma can cause the body to not get enough oxygen and can make someone feel frequently tired or have low energy.
- Chest pain - this is a frequent symptom many asthmatics experience when they are having an attack.
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If you have any of these symptoms, you may want to talk to your doctor. Even if you know it isn’t asthma, symptoms like these should always be checked out.
