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How to Know If You Have Undiagnosed Asthma

When you think about asthma, you might picture someone who’s been using an inhaler since they were a child. So, as an adult, you might think you’re past the time you would learn you have it. But it’s possible to be diagnosed with asthma — a condition that makes it tough to breathe — when you’re past childhood.

Asthma is a long-term condition where your airways become narrow and inflamed. Your muscles around the airways tighten, the lining of the airways swells, you make more mucus and it can be hard to breathe. Symptoms of asthma, like shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, might seem like they come from allergies, stress or a lingering cold.

“Asthma is a chronic lung disease that makes it harder to move air into and out of your lungs,” said Cheryl Thome, RN, a pediatric asthma specialist with Banner Children’s. “While asthma often first shows up in children, it can also develop later in life in adults. Many people live with undiagnosed asthma without realizing it."

Here’s what could clue you into the possibility that your breathing problems could be undiagnosed asthma.

Signs and symptoms of undiagnosed asthma

“The symptoms of undiagnosed asthma are similar to diagnosed asthma,” Thome said. They can include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Difficulty speaking in a full sentence
  • Irritating, persistent cough, particularly at night
  • Coughing or wheezing after physical activity or after laughing
  • Coughing, wheezing or chest tightness after allergen exposure
  • Wheezing sounds during normal breathing
  • Breathing problems related to a specific season
  • Symptoms that get worse with exposure to allergens, cold air, smoke or strong odors
  • A cold lasting more than 10 days
  • Symptoms that ease up after using a quick relief medication such as Albuterol

“You should see a health care provider if you’re having any of these symptoms,” Thome said.

What about allergies and reactive airways?

Asthma symptoms can sometimes be confused with allergy symptoms. “Allergies happen when the body has a hypersensitive reaction to a foreign substance. Symptoms can include a stuffy, runny or itchy nose or itchy throat – these symptoms are different from asthma,” Thome said. 

But when people with asthma contact things they are allergic to, it can affect their breathing more than it would someone who doesn’t have asthma and could even cause an asthma attack. 

A condition related to asthma, called reactive airways, is when your airways are more sensitive than normal. Reactive airways can mimic some asthma symptoms, but the conditions aren’t the same. But having reactive airways could be a sign that you might develop asthma.

Allergies, reactive airways and asthma share common triggers. You could have symptoms from:

  • Allergens, such as pollen, mold, dust mites or pet dander
  • Irritants like cigarette smoke, pollution or strong chemicals
  • Physical activity, especially in cold weather
  • Respiratory diseases like colds or the flu

How is adult asthma diagnosed?

If you have any of the symptoms listed above or any concerns about your breathing, contact a health care provider. 

“For an asthma diagnosis, your provider will do a physical exam, assess your symptoms, take your medical history and possibly order a pulmonary function test,” Thome said. “They might refer you to a pulmonologist, a doctor who specializes in the respiratory system.”

Your provider may also recommend:

  • Spirometry tests to measure how well your lungs are working.
  • Allergy testing for triggers that could be making your symptoms worse.
  • Asthma medication trials to see if they help.

Your provider will also see if one of these conditions might be causing signs or symptoms similar to asthma:

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Bronchiolitis
  • Anxiety, which could cause hyperventilation or panic attacks
  • Acid reflux
  • Sinus infection
  • Allergies
  • Vocal cord dysfunction
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Respiratory viral infection
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Obesity

Managing symptoms of reactive airways and asthma

Although there is no cure for asthma, you can manage asthma symptoms through medication, an asthma action plan and good environmental control. 

Whether you’re managing reactive airways or diagnosed asthma, these tips can help:

  • Avoid triggers: Keep your home as free of allergens and irritants as possible.
  • Use medications as prescribed: Inhalers and other asthma treatments may provide relief.
  • Monitor your symptoms: Tracking symptoms can help you spot patterns.
  • Get the care you need: “It is so important to keep your follow-up appointments with your physician. They can help manage your asthma symptoms so you can have an improved quality of life,” Thome said.

The bottom line

If you have symptoms like coughing or wheezing, don’t assume you know the cause. No matter how old you are, it could be asthma. 

If you suspect you might have undiagnosed asthma or reactive airways, talk to a provider. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big impact on your daily life.

At Banner Health, our expert providers use the latest diagnostic tools and treatments to create personalized care plans for asthma and other breathing problems. Make an appointment with one of our providers and learn more about managing and diagnosing asthma. With our comprehensive resources, you’ll have the support you need every step of the way.

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