If a spasm of the airways occurs, the diagnosis of asthma can be made. Asthma is characterized by periodic flare-ups, or periods in which symptoms become severe. Over many years, this pattern can continue without the person getting dramatically worse. In some people, asthma flare-ups increase as they get older. In older adults with asthma, the lungs sometimes retain extra air and cause ongoing shortness of breath .
Some children outgrow asthma.
Sometimes symptoms stop and asthma disappears as they grow up. This occurs because the anatomy of the lungs and bronchial tubes changes as they mature. Occasionally an adult who never had asthma before can get asthma after severe bronchitis or pneumonia . This condition can last for a year or 2 and then gradually go away completely. Triggers such as exercise, exposure to fumes and cigarette smoke, or respiratory infections such as colds or flu can cause asthma flare-ups.