Advertisement
Symptoms may lessen over time, but the condition never truly goes away
Asthma threatens the breathing of approximately 300 million people around the world. It’s an always- looming condition that can limit daily activities and serve as a constant source of frustration.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
So, what is the chance that this health worry dwindles or even disappears with time and age? Let’s find out from pulmonologist Neha Solanki, MD.
The simple answer is no. And there’s no cure for asthma. If your airways are sensitive and prone to the sudden inflammation that defines an asthma attack, they’ll always be vulnerable to a future episode.
“I wish I could tell you that asthma goes away when you turn X number of years in age, but that’s just not the case,” says Dr. Solanki.
Now it is possible to see reduced asthma symptoms, though. In fact, many children with asthma appear to outgrow the condition. About half of kids with asthma typically see a noticeable decrease in breathing issues as they enter their teens.
But that doesn’t mean their asthma is gone. Instead, think of it as lying dormant but ready to awaken. “Asthma can come and go over time,” notes Dr. Solanki. “People grow back into it.”
Anyone can develop asthma at any point in their life. There’s simply no age between childhood and senior living where asthma symptoms can’t suddenly appear.
Adult-onset asthma often begins following a respiratory illness (such as influenza). A new or broader exposure to an unknown allergen or trigger — maybe something as simple as mold or campfire smoke — also could set off an inflammatory reaction that becomes chronic.
Advertisement
“It’s very puzzling and we don’t know exactly why it happens,” shares Dr. Solanki. “But in most cases of adult-onset asthma, it seems like something pushes you over into having the chronic disease.”
One thing is clear when it comes to asthma: The situation is growing.
The worldwide population of people with asthma increases by an estimated 50% every decade, according to researchers. That number is probably low, too, as asthma is often underdiagnosed.
Symptoms of asthma may include:
Keeping asthma in check or at bay often comes down to limiting your exposure to potential triggers and making healthy lifestyle decisions. Dr. Solanki’s recommendations for managing asthma include:
It’s true that asthma can have an effect on your day-to-day life. But it doesn’t need to control your life. Medications and some simple lifestyle choices can keep asthma from flaring up.
“Asthma is an encouraging condition to treat because people can learn to live better with it,” says Dr. Solanki. “It’s something you can take care of and manage — and we can’t say that about a lot of chronic illnesses.”
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
Nighttime asthma attacks can be due to acid reflux, allergens and hormonal changes, but treatment can help prevent them
A change in diet won’t cure COPD — but getting to or maintaining a healthy weight will help
Vaping exposes you to thousands of chemicals, including many that cause cancer and lung disease
Often, a throat tickle is due to a cold, allergies or GERD — but see a doctor if it won’t go away
Both conditions have similar symptoms, but different causes and treatments
You can reduce your chances of a flare-up by quitting smoking, avoiding respiratory infections and following your doctor’s orders
Even only a couple cigarettes a day can lead to potentially deadly lung diseases like COPD and emphysema
Your risk goes down once you quit, but you may still need a lung cancer screening
Not all ear infections need antibiotics — cold and warm compresses and changing up your sleep position can help
A glass of lemon water in the morning can help with digestion and boost vitamin C levels, and may even help get you into a better routine