Asthma is a common condition, and it is typically associated with a childhood diagnosis. However, plenty of adults suffer from this respiratory issue as well. In fact, while protection for children is imperative, unchecked symptoms can have even more severe consequences for older folks. Today, your pediatric pulmonology expert will answer a pressing question: Is asthma lighter for kids or adults? Find the answer to this question and more in the short guide on asthma below.
Is Asthma Lighter for Kids or Adults?
What is Asthma?
Whenever specific airways in the lungs and breathing system are blocked, it causes a chronic issue known as asthma. The onset of asthma creates symptoms of labored breathing and intense coughing. An asthma attack can be triggered by a number of environmental factors, from seasonal allergies to undue stress at work. If you are suddenly gasping for air or choking and coughing while finding it difficult to breathe, you may be experiencing an asthma condition.
Adult-Onset Asthma
While asthma can appear in children at an early age, some people don’t get diagnosed with this breathing condition until much later in life. This marks the presence of a less common type of asthma known as adult-onset asthma, and it can sometimes be more difficult to diagnose. While there are many different causes of asthma, the sources that lead to adult-onset asthma are less clear. However, the triggers for this type of asthma are often the same: mold, environmental allergens, irritants, smoke, and pollens.
In order to identify and properly diagnose adult-onset asthma, your asthma specialist may ask you a number of questions about your symptoms and how long you have been experiencing them.
Symptoms of Adult-Onset Asthma
Asthma triggers can vary from person to person, but there are a few similarities in its symptoms which can include:
- Trouble breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Dry coughing
- Chest pressure
- Colds that last a long time
- Dizziness or shortness of breath after a bout of physical movement
If you are struggling with your breathing in general, it is a good idea to visit your doctor ASAP. There are enough similarities between children’s asthma and adult-onset asthma to safely say that both types warrant an immediate visit to your breathing specialist. Of course, it is important to rule out other conditions such as an upper respiratory infection or even COVID-19 before starting asthma treatment.
Asthma is Dangerous in Adults
While children’s asthma can be dangerous when unchecked, the death rate for asthma symptoms is way higher in adults than in those under the age of 18. This may be because a large part of the adult population with asthma does not seek regular care, or waits too long to get the asthma symptoms checked out. But it’s dangerous to ignore even a small likelihood of asthma, as ignoring respiratory issues can lead to even more dangerous conditions like a hernia or even heart failure.
Get Asthma Treatment ASAP
It is important to get the care you need and deserve as soon as you discover your asthma symptoms. Depending on the severity of your needs, you may be a good candidate for one of our more advanced forms of care. Namely, we offer treatment for severe asthma with biologics, a customized medical intervention that targets inflammatory antibodies and other asthma-causing cell receptors. Over time, this can block or significantly lower the inflammation that occurs during an asthma attack, making it difficult to breathe.
You deserve to have a treatment that is designed with your body in mind. Dr. Mayank Shukla offers a wide range of asthma treatments to children and adults suffering from any form of asthma. It is important to breathe comfortably and to visit your doctor at the first sign of respiratory trouble. We look forward to helping you breathe easy ASAP!
