Seniors: Outgrowing their Asthma?

Although some asthma patients ”outgrow” their asthma,” most do not.  Some patients even wait until their senior years to develop asthma.

It may be due to the existence of other diseases or disabilities, or to the effects that aging may have on the older body. Medications that are sometimes used to treat other diseases can provoke asthma, for example, some that are used to treat glaucoma or blood pressure. They don’t have to be sophisticated. Even aspirin can do it. The average age for the onset of aspirin-induced asthma is 46 years. GERD or reflux disease, that heartburn that can grab you after eating a big meal before bed, can provoke asthma. Respiratory infections are another common trigger for asthma. 

When asthma goes undiagnosed, the symptoms can be frightening and a person’s quality of life can deteriorate. So, it is important for seniors to get an accurate diagnosis, distinguishing asthma from a heart condition, but also recognizing when other conditions also exist.

Being aware of your asthma triggers can help control your asthma.  Your doctor can help you explore your asthma triggers, avoid them and sometimes treat you before your exposure. Your allergist is an expert in identifying such triggers by history, exam and allergy testing.  New medications and treatments might be just right for your case.

Treatment of asthma in seniors can differ somewhat from that in younger people. Treatment in older adults may need to be individualized due to the physical, social and emotional changes associated with aging. Also, the greater incidence of coexisting conditions may require additional considerations in older asthmatics. Regular preventative care should be considered even in a mild form of asthma.

Click here for more.

Back to Asthma Contents

Back to Home Page