Here's How an Asthma Diagnosis is Different as an Adult

You could be diagnosed with adult asthma any time after you are 16 years old. One of the main ways this condition is diagnosed as an adult is that you've experienced wheezing within the past year. Here are some differences: 
 

• Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and may perform a lung function test (spirometry or peak airflow test) to measure your breathing. Children under 5 aren't given a breathing test. Their diagnosis will be based on their symptoms. Older children may go through a lung function test. If a child's problems improve with a bronchodilator, that's an indicator that a child has asthma. 
• Adult asthma is likely due to years of second-hand smoke exposure, personal smoking, recurrent respiratory infections, and environmental or occupational exposure. Having allergies or eczema raises your chances of having asthma. 
• Adult asthma is more likely to occur in women while childhood asthma tends to be prevalent in pre-adolescent boys. 
• Childhood asthma has been found to affect more low-income children with African American and Hispanic backgrounds.
  
  Asthma can be challenging to diagnose in adults. Let your doctor know if you occasionally experience heartburn, sinusitis or suffer from seasonal allergies. These conditions can worsen asthma and may cause your doctor to change your treatment plan. Your doctor may prescribe a bronchodilator and asthma medicines to see if those help your symptoms.