Causes of asthma in adults

Asthma involves airway inflammation and tightening of the muscles around the airways. Some adults have an allergic pattern linked with conditions such as Allergic Rhinitis or House Dust Mite Allergy. Others notice symptoms after viral infections, cold air, exercise, smoke, strong scents, air pollution or workplace dust and chemicals. Symptoms may begin in adulthood even when childhood breathing was normal. Cough, Wheezing and Chest Tightness can vary from day to day; symptoms that begin after a particular workplace exposure deserve careful review. A Chronic Cough can have several causes and does not by itself establish asthma.

Keep a record of symptoms, triggers, time of day, exercise, work exposures and response to any prescribed inhaler. Avoid smoke and known irritants, and do not stop a preventer medicine without medical advice. A clinician may listen to your chest and arrange breathing tests to check for variable airflow narrowing. Bring all inhalers and medicines to the appointment so technique and the treatment plan can be reviewed. Ask whether an action plan is appropriate for your pattern of symptoms.

Seek urgent help if breathing is rapidly worsening, you cannot speak comfortably in full sentences, your lips look blue, you feel faint, or your reliever is not helping as directed. Severe chest tightness or exhaustion during an episode also needs urgent attention. Arrange a routine assessment for recurring cough, wheeze or night symptoms, even if they settle between episodes. A Nebuliser Treatment may be used by clinicians during significant breathing difficulty, but it is not a substitute for an individual asthma plan.

Which triggers fit my symptoms, and could work exposures be involved? Do I need breathing tests or allergy assessment? How should I use my inhalers during worsening symptoms?