Is it asthma?

[celnat]

I'm a 32-year-old woman, never smoked, generally in good health.  Last summer, I caught a bad cold.  Afterwards, I continued to have nasal congestion at night and coughing triggered by exercise (starting after 15 minutes of running).  My doctor said it was allergies and gave me Nasarel and albuterol (for before exercise).   All of this helped immensely.  When fall came, things got better.  

This spring, things got worse, so I started taking the meds again.  This time, I also started having problems with coughing at night -- I'd wake up feeling like I have mucous in my throat.  I went back to the doctor, who said it was probably asthma, and gave me a prescription for an inhaled corticosteroid (beclomethasone), 1 puff twice a day.  Nighttime coughing is now gone.  

1. Is it unusual to develop asthma suddenly at my age?  Seasonal allergies do run in my family, but no history of asthma.  I guess what I'm really wondering is, could this be anything other than asthma?  (I haven't had any tests for asthma.  The doctor told me that the inhaler would be like the test -- if it helped, it was asthma.)

2. I've read that inhaled corticosteroids can increase the risk of osteoporosis.  My mom has osteoporosis, so I already have a genetic risk factor.  Should I be concerned about this?  And if so, what are the alternatives to corticosteroids (assuming I do have asthma)?  Is Singulair an alternative?

[lovefamily]

I can't answer all your questions but I can answer one.  I was diagnosed with asthma at age 30.  I never had any problems before and I was never a smoker.  Although I was exposed to second hand smoke in my childhood and in an office I once worked at.  I started feeling really down and all I wanted to do was sleep.  The Dr. found that one of my lungs was almost swollen shut.  I have been on medication and inhalers over the years.  I am now down just to zyrtech for the allergies when needed and a rescue inhaler when needed.  I have found out what my major triggers are and I try to stay away from them.  So, yes it is possible for you to develop asthma later in life.  Hope you get to feeling better.