Though it might seem surprising, you are not the only one who is suffering from asthma attacks. Although you might not have any respiratory problems in the past, asthma can attack you at any age. This is commonly referred to as adult-onset asthma. There are several reasons as to why you might have gotten asthma out of the blue:

1. Environmental Elements

Allergen Exposure: A chronic or new onset of asthma can develop progressively after a one time or renewed exposure to certain allergens such as mold, dust, or pollen and dander. Even having just shifted geography or immigrated has brought about asthmatics because of exposure to more allergens.

Air Pollution: The majority of the population nowadays has been exposed to filthy surroundings, including smoking or fumes, which may cause symptoms even if the person has never been asthmatic.

Occupational Asthma: Sometimes people find themselves acquiring asthma as a result of prolonged exposure to allergens such as dust and inks or chemicals and mold within their job setting.

Infections of the respiratory system.

These may include serious airway infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia or even viral infections such as influenza. These diseases can promote the development of asthma by causing irritation of the airways which renders them hypersensitive.

Now many witness a post-COVID-19 phenomenon of developing an asthmatic condition which does not have a history or possibility in the context of surrounding conditions. It’s more profound for the patients with history of more lung damage and recovery in the notification status being AVR.

3. Triggering Allergies

There are other types of allergies which are not known to individuals before which can also be a trigger incompetence for asthma. Helpful would be information about those adults who are allergic to dust mites or to pet dander.

Allergies with seasonal characteristics: Apparently, pollen allergy such as hay fever causes discomforts and leads to asthma due to inflammation of the airways as one of the reasons.

4. Inherited traits and family characteristics

It runs in families: Provided that there is a positive family history of atopy or asthma then it’s likely that one possesses asthma trait without any obvious signs or complaints from early childhood. Any changes such as ecological or even something less conspicuous could set off this trait.

5. Hormonal Connections

Pregnancy, menopause or thyroid disease could be the reasons of how asthma develops due to hormone imbalance or changes of other types. For example, after pregnancy, or after menopause, some women develop symptoms of asthma for the first time.

Hormonally related: Any asthma development could also be from progesterone and estrogen levels changes related to lungs.

6. Lifestyle Factors and ObesityObesity: Studies suggest relationships ‘between the gradual onset of asthma as well as the excess fatty tissues accumulation’. An excess body weight could aid in resolving breathing issues owing to an elevation of inflammation within the body, adding to the pressure on the lungs. Sedentary Lifestyle: A passive existence could pose a danger to the lungs and increase the possibility of asthma or other respiratory ailments.7. Emotional Stressors and Other StressorsThe stresses which an individual experiences could probably be a risk factor for asthma – Chapman, C. & co., 2018. Prolonged stresses would reduce immunity and proinflammatory state that would be in the body, especially for the airways area which could cause asthma.Over the same vein, deep sadness or extreme rage or anxiety could tense one’s chest area and lead to shortness in breath which further worsens or aggravates one’s asthmatic condition.8. Intolerance to Drugs or ChemicalsSuch patients include individuals with asthma, for example, excessive use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs such as aspirin, beta-blockers used for hypertension could cause their asthma. Overexposure to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like that of the aspirin has led to the development of the acronym AERD meaning ‘aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease’: Chapman, C & co 2018. Other substances which are only potent in small amounts such as sulfites as well as some preservatives within food products are known to activate asthmatic symptoms.
7. Unfortunately, there was no awareness of asthma in childhood: Many people with asthma did, indeed, have moderate asthma in their childhood years, symptoms which were, in all likelihood, overlooked in most cases. With aging, new environments, or exposure to different allergens, those symptoms may enhance.

Old Age: Lung volume is said to decrease progressively with age which could expose a person to higher chances of developing respiratory illnesses such as asthma.

Asthma triggered by physical exercise

Exercise-induced asthma is characterized by the abnormality in which asthma features only occur during exercise but not at other times. Even after several years of active lifestyle, such a situation can still arise. It is usually caused by cold or dry air during strenuous exercise.

When and How Should Assistance Be Sought: It is important to consult a physician if you have recently developed asthma symptoms to determine the underlying cause and the appropriate treatment. If asthma is diagnosed early, patients can manage the condition effectively and avoid the aggravation of asthmatic symptoms.

To sum up, sudden asthma attacks may be caused by various factors such as respiratory tract infections, exposure to new allergens, exposure to work-related irritants, changes in hormonal levels, and heredity. Relative environmental changes, behavior, and stress may also play a role. While asthma can appear spontaneously, with the right management and lifestyle changes it can be managed.

Are you interested in hearing about avoiding triggers, or tips for coping with these new symptoms?