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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.¹ 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

But if you have asthma and you don't smoke, your lungs will still work better than someone who smokes, even if they don't have asthma. If you have asthma and you smoke, your breathing will get worse quicker than if you didn't smoke.²

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.

You should be able to recognize your symptoms. If your symptoms get worse and you don't do anything about it, you may need emergency treatment.

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 3,800 people in the United States die of asthma each year.³ About half of these people are over 65.

Better treatments mean that fewer people die of asthma now than in the past.⁴ It's important to recognize 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 with your doctor or dial call 911 straight away.

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

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.