Guide To The Different Types Of Asthma

Adult-Onset Asthma

The type of asthma that develops in individuals in their adult years who have not been previously diagnosed with any form of asthma is referred to as adult-onset asthma. A patient's asthma is considered to be adult-onset asthma if they have reached their second decade of life. Some individuals are at a higher risk of developing this type of asthma, such as pregnant women, women going through menopause, women who have used estrogen after menopause for an extended period, individuals with recent respiratory illness, those with allergies, gastroesophageal reflux disease patients, and individuals frequently exposed to external or occupational irritants.

Adult-onset asthma is different from childhood forms of asthma because the adult lungs have a different capacity and some functional differences when compared to the lungs of a child. Adult-onset asthma is diagnosed using a lung function test, methacholine challenge, and chest x-rays. Treatment of adult-onset asthma may include a combination of corticosteroids, short-acting bronchodilators, long-acting bronchodilators, and certain lifestyle changes.