Asthma in adults - What will happen?

Treatments for asthma work well, and most people are able to lead a full and active life. Asthma isn't usually life-threatening, but you should take it seriously.

Some people worry that their asthma will get worse as they get older. But if you have mild asthma, it will probably stay mild. It's unlikely to become severe. Only about 1 in 20 people with asthma have severe asthma.

To learn more, see How bad is my asthma?

As you get older, your lungs don't work as well as they did when you were young. This happens to everyone, not just people who have asthma. But it happens sooner if you have asthma. From the age of about 30, your lungs will probably work as well as someone 10 years older than you who doesn't have asthma.[2] If you smoke, your breathing will get worse more quickly. But if you don't smoke, you'll probably have better lungs than a smoker who doesn't have asthma.

Your asthma may stop altogether. But if you get asthma for the first time when you're an adult, you're less likely to grow out of it than if you got it as a child.

Although most people with asthma lead full and active lives, it does need to be properly treated. It's possible to die of asthma, although deaths are rare given the large number of people who have it. About 1,400 people in the UK die of asthma each year.[1] About two-thirds of these people are over 65.

Better treatments mean that fewer people die of asthma now than in the past. And the charity Asthma UK says that 9 in 10 deaths from asthma could still be prevented.[1] It's important to recognise when your symptoms are getting worse and use your treatments properly.

If your symptoms get worse and your normal treatments don't help, or you're worried for any reason, you may need emergency treatment. Talk to your doctor or call 999 straight away.

To learn more, see How can I tell when my asthma is getting out of control?

References

Asthma UK. Where do we stand? Asthma in the UK today. December 2004. Available at http://www.asthma.org.uk/all_about_asthma/publications/where_do_we.html (accessed on 15 October 2007).
Lange P, Parner J, Vestbo J, et al. A 15-year follow-up study of ventilatory function in adults with asthma. New England Journal of Medicine. 1998; 339: 1194-1200.

This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.