Adult asthma can be triggered by ageing, hormones, or allergies… let’s learn more
Simply, asthma is a condition that makes it difficult to breathe. Yet, this health issue goes much deeper than that. In this article, we delve into adult asthma and how to take steps to protect your health.
Quick Read:
- Asthma involves chronic inflammation. This in turn, can lead to chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, and breathlessness.
- You might develop asthma in your 30s or 40s, or even older. Adult-onset asthma is possible even if you didn’t have asthma as a child.
- Feeling unusually tired is another probable symptom of asthma.
How does asthma start?
So, we know that it is possible for asthma to begin later in life. Let’s identify some of the most common risk factors: smoking, a family history of asthma, allergies, chronic stress, or obesity. The cold and flu, or other respiratory infections could also be to blame for adult asthma. As could hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy, menopause, or when taking oestrogen therapy after menopause.
People who suffer from acid reflux conditions like GERD and heartburn may also battle asthma. These conditions tend to aggravate the airways. Ageing is another element in adult-onset asthma. As we get older, the immune system can become more reactive, creating a domino effect of sudden new allergies that trigger asthma.
Is asthma really that bad?
How harmful can coughing and wheezing really be? Very, is the short answer! Left unchecked, asthma can start to seriously take a toll on your daily life, and overall health and wellbeing.
For those with mild symptoms that flare up occasionally, asthma is relatively manageable. But for many others, asthma involves serious inflammation in their airways. This can lead to constant chest tightness, difficulty breathing, sleep issues like insomnia, disruption to daily activities, and in fatal cases, it can turn life-threatening.
How can I manage asthma?
Asthma can be unpredictable. This can understandably, cause anxiety and stress, as you never know when an asthma episode might strike. For the person who’s struggling with asthma, every day can feel like a challenge.
It doesn’t matter if you think you feel better. Keep your inhaler on hand for emergencies. The preventer inhaler helps to keep inflammation under control, and the reliever inhaler is necessary for when you need quick relief from symptoms.
It’s so important to go to the doctor or clinic for regular check-ups, especially if your symptoms start to change or get worse. Keep a notebook to journal your triggers – and do your best to avoid these triggers. Some of the most common asthma triggers include mold, dust, pollen, cold air, sudden weather changes, strong smells like perfume or cleaning products, and smoke (including secondhand smoke). Some asthma sufferers are also triggered by stress or strong emotions.
A healthy diet matters! In fact, staying healthy overall can make a big difference in managing asthma. You need plenty of fruit and vegetables in your daily diet (yes, daily) to give your immune system essential support. Be sure to move – regularly. Try to do at least 30 minutes a day. If you’re worried about exercising, stick to gentle workouts like walking.
Make it a point to prioritise quality sleep and find ways to manage chronic stress. If you have other health issues like acid reflux, treat these problems sooner than later as they may trigger asthma symptoms.
Help at hand
Please don’t let your condition spiral out of control. It’s important to know when to get help for your asthma. If you use your reliever inhaler more than twice a week, it could be a sign that your asthma isn’t well-controlled and you may need to adjust your treatment. Go to a doctor or clinic immediately if you cannot speak or walk due to breathlessness, if your reliever inhaler isn’t working, or if your lips or fingers start to look blue or grey. These are signs of a serious asthma attack and need medical care.
Images: Freepik
