Adults 20 years old and older can experience symptoms of asthma due to allergens at work. Obesity, pregnancy, and menopause may also trigger asthma in adults.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes swelling and inflammation in your lungs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), asthma affects almost 25 million peopleTrusted Source in the United States or almost 8% of the population.

Asthma and its symptoms can appear at any point in time. You can develop it later in life even if you have no history of asthma in your childhood.

Adult-onset asthma may occur suddenly as a result of a combination of factors.

One common reason for adult asthma is constant exposure to an allergen. Allergens are substances that can cause an immune reaction in people who are sensitive to them. Examples include mold and dust mites. Allergies are the trigger for many cases of adult-onset asthma.

Depending on your occupation, you may be exposed to asthma triggers at work. According to the CDC, there are more than 300 substancesTrusted Source in the workplace that can cause asthma in adults or make it worse. Work-related asthma is more likely to be severe, involving periods of worsening or more frequent symptoms (asthma attacks).

The exact causes of asthma can be difficult to pinpoint.

Allergies and triggers in the environment can cause asthma symptoms or an asthma flare-up. Genetics can also play a role.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), people may develop asthma symptoms during pregnancy or after giving birth. And sometimes, people who have never had symptoms before experience asthma during menopause.

Ultimately, the exact reasons people develop asthma remain unclear.

Different people have different triggers. Here are some common triggers that may cause an asthma attack:

Asthma causes inflammation and narrowing of your airways. Narrowed airways cause chest tightness and difficulty breathing. Symptoms of adult-onset asthma include:

Untreated asthma may affect your daily activities. For example, shortness of breath can sometimes make physical activity uncomfortable or difficult.

If you suspect that you’re experiencing asthma symptoms, consider making an appointment with a doctor to discuss treatment options.

There are two types of medications for asthma: quick-relief medications and long-term control medications. Most adults with asthma use a combination of these to treat the disease.

Quick-relief medications are designed to ease symptoms caused by an asthma attack or flare-up.

Long-term control medications are designed to reduce inflammation and swelling over longer periods. They’re intended to prevent asthma attacks and long-term airway damage caused by asthma that is not well controlled. Long-term control medications are typically taken daily for months or even years.

Create an asthma action plan

The American Lung Association recommends creating an asthma action plan to outline what type of medication you should take and when. Your plan should also provide details about what to do if your asthma is dangerously out of control. These instructions will help you and your friends and relatives know when it’s time to change treatments or seek emergency care.

To make this plan:

  • Discuss treatment options with your doctor.
  • Plan what you should do in the event of an asthma flare-up.
  • List what triggers you can avoid and the best ways to avoid them.
  • Define at what point you need to increase treatment measures to prevent or reduce the severity of an attack.

Share this plan with friends, relatives, and any caregivers you may have. Together, you should be able to successfully treat your asthma and avoid future complications.

Children with allergies may not experience asthma as a result of exposure to allergens when they’re younger. But over time, their bodies can change and react differently, and this may lead to adult-onset asthma.

Childhood asthma and adult-onset asthma have the same symptoms and similar treatments. However, they come with some different challenges.

Childhood asthma

Children with asthma are more likely to have intermittent symptomsTrusted Source (symptoms that come and go), although some children have daily symptoms. Allergens can set off an asthma attack. Children are typically more sensitive to allergens and more prone to asthma attacks because their bodies are still developing.

Children with asthma may find that their symptoms ease or almost completely disappear during puberty, but they may return later in life.

The Environmental Protection Agency describes secondhand smoke as particularly dangerous for children. Secondhand smoke can trigger or worsen asthma.

The CDC states that 1 in 6 childrenTrusted Source with asthma visit the emergency department each year, and 1 in 20 are hospitalized because of asthma.

Adult-onset asthma

In adults, asthma symptoms are typically persistent. Daily treatment is often required to manage asthma symptoms and flare-ups.

According to the AAFA, allergies trigger at least 30% of adult asthma cases. A 2024 research review suggests that obesity increases the risk of developing adult-onset asthma.

Death resulting from an asthma attack is rare and mainly occurs in adults 65 years old and olderTrusted Source, according to the CDC. But it’s important to take asthma symptoms and treatment seriously, no matter your age.

Asthma is a common disease among adults. Although asthma can lead to difficulty breathing, with proper planning and preparation, you can manage the symptoms and prevent frequent asthma attacks.

Many medications are available for both short- and long-term asthma treatment. It’s useful to create a plan detailing how to prevent an attack and when to seek emergency care. Share your plan with friends, relatives, and any caregivers you may have.

Many people, including athletes, live with asthma and lead very healthy lives. They’re able to do this, in part, because they know how to manage their asthma. Be sure to work with your doctor so you have a treatment plan that is right for you.