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Most adults with asthma have had the disease since they were children.¹ Some people seem to "grow out" of their asthma as teenagers but start getting symptoms again as an adult.² A few people get asthma for the first time as an adult.

Your doctor will want to know what symptoms you get, when you get them and how long you've been having them.

To learn more, see Questions your doctor may ask.

Your doctor will probably examine your chest and listen to your breathing through a stethoscope.

There are several tests that can help your doctor find out what's causing your breathing problems. But not all tests are always available.

To learn more, see Tests for asthma.

Not many people get asthma for the first time as an adult. So doctors may check for other conditions before checking for asthma. Your doctor may think you have a condition called COPD (short for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), especially if you smoke.

The symptoms of COPD are very similar to the symptoms of asthma. COPD usually happens in people over 40 who smoke. So if you have breathing problems, it's important that your doctor finds out whether you have asthma or COPD.

To learn more, see our information on COPD.

Other conditions with similar symptoms to asthma are:

• Hyperventilation syndrome (when you breathe in and out too fast)
• Bronchiectasis (when the airways in your lungs have become damaged)
• Some rare allergies or diseases of the immune system that affect your lungs.

If your doctor is still unsure if you have asthma, you may be given a trial of asthma drugs (a steroid inhaler or a quick-relief inhaler) to see if they help. If the drugs help you, your doctor will then know that you have asthma and can work out a treatment plan.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.