Who gets asthma?

Living with asthma

Anyone can get asthma, and it can start at any time. As many as one in four New Zealand children and one in six adults will have symptoms of asthma at some time.

Does asthma run in the family?

Asthma often runs in the family, although not everyone in the family will have it. Many people with asthma may also have hay-fever or eczema, and a family history of these conditions. A child is more likely to have asthma if these other conditions run in the family.

Asthma in children

A third of all children under one year of age will have episodes of wheezing and coughing. Some of them are never very troubled by what is not much more than noisy breathing (wheeze). Most will not have this trouble after the age of three. However over time about one quarter of children will prove to have asthma. A lot of children seem to 'grow out of asthma' by their teens, although they may get it back in later life. In adults it tends to remain. Click here to find out more about asthma in children.

Asthma in adults

A lot of children seem to 'grow out of asthma' by their teens, although they may get it back in later life. In adults it tends to remain. It is hard to say for any one person what the future holds.

Adult onset asthma

Adult onset asthma generally refers to the onset of asthma for the first time in someone of middle age or older. The usual symptoms of asthma are generally present: varying degrees of breathlessness, wheeze and productive cough. However, there are some features that make adult onset asthma different to that seen in the younger age group. Click here to find out more about adult onset asthma.

Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA)

For people with asthma, physical activity is particularly important. It improves lung capacity, blood flow, and has a calming effect. However some people experience asthma symptoms when they are active, and eventually withdraw from exercise. With some simple tips, you can rebuild exercise back into your life. Find out more about Exercise Induced Asthma.

Occupational asthma

Click here to find out more about asthma in the workplace.

Asthma in women

Click here to find out more about how asthma can affect women and their periods, in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or during menopause.

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