Does Asthma Ever Go Away? What to Expect

Asthma is a condition that causes your airways to narrow and swell, making breathing difficult and triggering coughing. Asthma often begins in childhood, but symptoms can also appear for the first time in adulthood after infections, allergies, environmental exposures, or other triggers. The respiratory condition can affect everyone differently, with some people experiencing earlier onset and chronic symptoms, while others have symptoms that come and go.

Does Asthma Go Away On Its Own?

As a lifelong condition, asthma never completely goes away, but it can go into complete or partial remission. Asthma is considered a chronic condition, which means airway sensitivity can persist even when symptoms disappear for long periods. Triggers, such as allergens, stress, or illness, can cause a flare-up, allowing the symptoms to seemingly “reappear” after years of asthma being dormant.

There’s a difference between clinical remission and controlled asthma. Clinical remission means having few or no asthma symptoms for an extended period. Controlled asthma means your symptoms are being successfully managed with medication and trigger reduction. In both cases, however, symptom improvement doesn’t mean your asthma has disappeared.

Having your symptoms suddenly go away could also indicate that the treatment plan you’re following is effective. Maintenance medication, an Asthma Action Plan, trigger and symptom tracking, and lifestyle changes can all contribute to remission or controlled asthma management.

…But Does Childhood Asthma Go Away?

Asthma is a lifelong condition, but you may experience long-term symptom remission as you grow out of childhood. As your airways grow and the immune system matures, you can experience symptom-free periods that last well into adulthood. However, certain triggers may cause the respiratory condition to re-emerge after it has been dormant for years. 

This means even if you haven’t had an asthma attack since childhood, your airways are still sensitive. Approximately half of the people who “outgrow” their childhood asthma have their symptoms resurface in their 30s or 40s, so it’s critical to have a plan in place for potential flare-ups.

Will Adult-Onset Asthma Require Lifelong Treatment?

Adult-onset asthma is generally considered a chronic condition, and many people require ongoing treatment, though treatment intensity may change over time. The exact cause of adult-onset asthma (also known as late-onset asthma) is currently unknown, but several factors may drive it:

• Environmental exposures, such as smoke, dust, mold, feathers, and perfumes
• Certain respiratory infections
• Hormonal fluctuations
• New or worsening allergies
• Obesity
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Smoking or vaping

The good news is that adult-onset asthma is just as manageable as asthma that developed earlier in life. Effective treatment and lifestyle adjustments can help keep symptoms at bay.

Signs You May Have Adult-Onset Asthma

You may have late-onset asthma if you experience any of the following:

• Frequent coughing, especially at nighttime
• Shortness of breath during routine activities
• Wheezing 
• Chest tightness

Is Situational Asthma Temporary?

Situational asthma occurs when exposure to specific, temporary triggers — such as cold air, allergens, or physical exertion — causes asthma symptoms. Although it isn’t a medical diagnosis, people sometimes use the term to describe asthma symptoms that only appear in certain circumstances. 

There are several types of situational asthma, including:

• Seasonal asthma: This is asthma that only flares up during certain times of the year when pollen counts are high, or when there are sudden weather changes.
• Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB): This is asthma that occurs when airways temporarily narrow during or shortly after a workout.
• Cough variant asthma (CVA): This is a type of asthma where a chronic, dry cough is the only symptom. 
• Occupational asthma: This is asthma that is triggered by exposure to inhaled irritants in the workplace. 

People with situational asthma may still benefit from ongoing monitoring, since symptoms and triggers can change over time. Untreated symptoms may become harder to control over time and interfere with your quality of life. 

Regardless of what triggers your symptoms, with the right treatment and lifestyle changes, you can manage your asthma symptoms, and in some cases, put it into remission.

Recovering From Viral, Post-Viral, and Post-COVID Asthma

Viral infections, such as COVID, can trigger late-onset asthma symptoms in people who didn’t previously have the respiratory condition. In rare cases, COVID can cause severe inflammation and long-term damage to the airways. The viral infection can leave the bronchial tubes sensitive and reactive, causing post-viral airway hyper-responsiveness and symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness that mimic asthma.

Long COVID refers to symptoms that continue, return, or develop after the initial COVID-19 infection and persist for at least three months. It can trigger new-onset asthma or trigger asthma-like symptoms. Recovery timelines vary widely. Some people improve within months, while others experience longer-lasting respiratory symptoms.

Luckily, asthma symptoms caused by long COVID can be managed through the same treatments and lifestyle changes as those for patients with adult onset asthma.

Tips For Managing Your Breathing Health

While there is no cure for asthma, it’s highly manageable. Asthma control typically requires three components: medication, trigger avoidance, and lifestyle changes. Here are some practical strategies to help get your asthma into remission.

Asthma Medications

Asthma is typically managed with rescue and long-term control inhalers. Rescue medications provide quick relief to stop sudden flare-ups, while daily controller inhalers prevent inflammation.

Here’s a look at the types of asthma inhalers available:

There are three main types of inhaler devices available, including:

• Metered-dose: Releases a puff of medicine when you press down on it.
• Dry powder: Delivers powder when you inhale it.
• Soft mist: Sprays a dose of medicine when you press on it.

Some people may also use nebulizers, which are machines that turn liquid asthma medicine into a fine inhaled mist.

Asthma Supplements

While asthma and overall respiratory support supplements are not a replacement for prescribed medications, they may be part of your general asthma management plan. For example, the following supplements may help with asthma symptoms:

• Vitamin D: May help reduce asthma exacerbations in people who are vitamin D-deficient.
• Turmeric: Contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help lower airway obstruction and reduce airway swelling.
• Black seed oil: Contains thymoquinone, a compound that may help relieve asthma symptoms like shortness of breath.

Consult your primary care provider, pulmonologist, or pharmacist before adding any supplements to your asthma treatment plan because some supplements may interact with other medications you are already taking.

Asthma Lifestyle Changes

In addition to medications and supplements, making lifestyle adjustments can also help you reduce asthma flare-ups. These include:

• Quitting smoking
• Getting an air purifier for your home or workplace to remove common airborne allergens
• Being aware of any potential asthma triggers and preparing in advance
• Keeping on top of your medical needs, including taking medications as instructed and attending regular follow-up appointments
• Staying up-to-date on vaccinations to reduce the risk of contracting respiratory illnesses
• Eating a balanced diet and engaging in regular physical activity to maintain a healthy weight

Your Next Steps

Asthma medications keep symptoms under control, while supplements and lifestyle changes can provide added support. Work with your doctor to determine which control and rescue inhalers work best for your needs.

Asthma symptoms can go quiet for years, but symptom remission isn’t the same as being completely cured of asthma. Even if you haven’t had a flare-up in a while, your asthma can return without warning. Having an action asthma plan in place can ensure you’re well-prepared if there’s a high pollen count day or if your new job exposes you to irritants, or something else triggers a sudden asthma attack.