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What Are Common Asthma Signs and Symptoms in Older Adults?<\/h3>\n
The signs and symptoms of asthma in older adults are the same as\u00a0asthma symptoms<\/a>\u00a0seen in other age groups.<\/p>\n Common signs and symptoms of asthma in older adults include:<\/strong><\/p>\n Many older adults with asthma develop it during their adult years. Doctors call this adult-onset asthma or late-onset asthma<\/a>.<\/p>\n To\u00a0diagnose asthma in an older adult<\/a>, a doctor will ask about medical history and your family history, do a physical exam, and do lung function tests, if possible.<\/p>\n Asthma can be harder to diagnose in older adults because they often have other health issues. Because of this, asthma is underdiagnosed and undertreated in this age group. Changes in aging lungs can also make asthma worse.<\/p>\n Issues that can make asthma harder to diagnose in older adults include:<\/p>\n Some medicines that older adults use can have side effects that can cause asthma-like symptoms or make asthma worse. The following medicines can cause airway tightening (bronchospasm) or can worsen asthma:<\/p>\n The\u00a0treatment for asthma in older adults<\/a>\u00a0involves:<\/p>\n 1. Avoiding or reducing asthma triggers<\/strong>. To do this, you need to know what triggers your asthma and then take steps to manage those triggers. Triggers can include:<\/p>\n Once you know your triggers, you can control or manage them. (Use\u00a0AAFA\u2019s Healthier Home Checklist<\/a>\u00a0to help you.)<\/p>\n 2. Taking asthma medicines as prescribed.<\/strong>\u00a0You may need to take medicines daily, as needed, or both. This will depend on how severe your asthma is and the type of medicine you take. Some asthma medicines work to control (or prevent) inflammation (swelling) in your airways. Other asthma medicines relieve the muscles that tighten and squeeze your airways and aim to stop symptoms after they begin. (Learn more about the different types of asthma medicines<\/a> and how they work.)<\/p>\n 3. Following an <\/strong>Asthma Action Plan<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> It is important to know the signs and symptoms of asthma and when and how often to take your medicines. Ask your doctor or health care provider to help you create an Asthma Action Plan. Remember to review this plan with your health care provider to make sure it is effective and up to date.<\/p>\n 4. Taking care of your overall health. <\/strong>There are other medical conditions or illnesses that can make your asthma worse. To keep your asthma under control, you need to take care of other parts of your health, too. Examples include allergies and acid reflux. Doctors will also consider other health conditions you have and all the medicines you currently take.<\/p>\n Older adults have more asthma symptoms and deaths from asthma than younger people.2,3,4<\/sup>\u00a0They are also less likely to get the proper diagnosis and treatment they need. They also face socioeconomic issues that may affect their asthma management.<\/p>\n Older adults may struggle with using asthma inhalers due to arthritis or not being able to breathe in well enough to get the medicine from the inhalers into the lungs. Your doctor may prescribe a nebulizer, a breathing machine that turns asthma medicine into a mist that you can easily breathe in. The nebulizer may be easier to use.<\/p>\n If prescribed by a doctor, your insurance company may cover the cost. You can also buy a nebulizer from a pharmacy or durable medical equipment (DME) company. Nebulizers bought online without a prescription may not meet the standards required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Talk with your doctor about which nebulizer is best for you.<\/p>\n Challenges older adults face when managing asthma:<\/p>\n Greater asthma disparities exist in older age groups. The impact of asthma is higher among Black, Hispanic, and low-income adults ages 65 and older. Black and Hispanic older adults go to the emergency room for asthma more than 1.5 times than older white adults.5<\/sup>\u00a0They also are more likely to have gaps in health insurance coverage.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ toggle_icon=”L||divi||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”20px” disabled_on=”on|on|on” module_class=”accord” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” toggle_font=”|600|||||||” toggle_font_size=”22px” closed_toggle_font=”|600|||||||” closed_toggle_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#505050″ body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.4em” body_link_font=”||||on|||#008C99|” text_orientation=”left” height_tablet=”” height_phone=”” height_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” border_width_all=”0px” disabled=”on” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Closed” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What Are Common Asthma Signs and Symptoms in Older Adults?” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n The signs and symptoms of asthma in older adults are the same as asthma symptoms<\/a> seen in other age groups.<\/p>\n Common signs and symptoms of asthma in older adults include:<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How Do Doctors Diagnose Asthma in Older Adults?” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Many older adults with asthma develop it as an adult. Doctors call this adult-onset asthma or late-onset asthma.<\/p>\n To diagnose asthma in an older adult<\/a>, a doctor will ask about your medical history and your family history, do a physical exam, and do lung function tests, if possible.<\/p>\n Asthma can be harder to diagnose in older adults because they often have other health issues. Because of this, asthma is underdiagnosed and undertreated in this age group. Changes in aging lungs can also make asthma worse.<\/p>\n Issues that can make asthma harder to diagnose in older adults include:<\/p>\n Some medicines that older adults use can have side effects that can cause asthma-like symptoms or make asthma worse. The following medicines can cause airway tightening (bronchospasm) or worsen asthma:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How Do You Treat Asthma in Older Adults?” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n The treatment for asthma in older adults<\/a> involves:<\/p>\n Once you know your triggers, you can control or manage them. (Use AAFA\u2019s Healthier Home Checklist<\/a> to help you.)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What Are the Challenges of Asthma in Older Adults?” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Older adults have more asthma symptoms and deaths than younger people.2,3,4<\/sup> They are also less likely to get the proper diagnosis and treatment they need. They also face socioeconomic issues that may affect their asthma management.<\/p>\n Older adults may struggle with using asthma inhalers due to arthritis or not being able to breathe in well enough to get the medicine from the inhalers. Your doctor may prescribe a nebulizer, a breathing machine that turns asthma medicine into a mist that you can easily breathe in. The nebulizer may be easier to use.<\/p>\n A doctor should prescribe a nebulizer and the liquid medicine that goes into it. If prescribed, your insurance company may cover the cost. You can also buy a nebulizer from a pharmacy or durable medical equipment (DME) company. Nebulizers bought online without a prescription may not meet the standards required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Talk with your doctor about which nebulizer is best for you.<\/p>\n Challenges older adults face when managing asthma:<\/p>\n Greater asthma disparities exist in older age groups. The impact of asthma is even greater among Black, Hispanic, and low-income adults age 65 and older. Black and Hispanic older adults go to the emergency room for asthma more than 1.5 times than older white adults.5<\/sup> They also are more likely to have gaps in health insurance coverage.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”Tan Callout Box” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ link_font=”||||on|||#008c99|” link_text_color=”#008c99″ link_line_height=”1.7em” ul_line_height=”1.7em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” header_3_font=”|600|||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#008c99″ header_3_font_size=”28px” background_color=”#F5EDDF” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Asthma in Adults<\/a><\/p>\n Drug Assistance Programs<\/a><\/p>\n Asthma Disparities Among Older Adults<\/a><\/p>\n \u200b<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Medical Review” module_class=”med-rev clearfix” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”16px” link_text_color=”#008C99″ link_font_size=”16px” header_5_font=”|600|||||||” header_5_text_align=”left” header_5_text_color=”#008c99″ custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Medical Review: July 2024 by John James, MD<\/small><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ toggle_icon=”L||divi||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”20px” admin_label=”Accordion – References” module_class=”accord” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” toggle_font=”|600|||||||” toggle_font_size=”22px” closed_toggle_font=”|600|||||||” closed_toggle_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#505050″ body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.4em” body_link_font=”||||on|||#008C99|” text_orientation=”left” height_tablet=”” height_phone=”” height_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” border_width_all=”0px” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Closed” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”References” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”References” module_class=”clearfix” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”16px” link_text_color=”#008C99″ link_font_size=”16px” header_5_font=”|600|||||||” header_5_text_align=”left” header_5_text_color=”#008c99″ custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Most Recent National Asthma Data. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/asthma\/most_recent_national_asthma_data.htm<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n 2. Boulet, L.-P. (2016). Asthma in the Elderly Patient. Asthma Research and Practice, 2(1). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s40733-015-0015-1<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n 3. Hanania, N. A., King, M. J., Braman, S. S., Saltoun, C., Wise, R. A., Enright, P., Falsey, A. R., Mathur, S. K., Ramsdell, J. W., Rogers, L., Stempel, D. A., Lima, J. J., Fish, J. E., Wilson, S. R., Boyd, C., Patel, K. V., Irvin, C. G., Yawn, B. P., Halm, E. A., \u2026 Ledford, D. K. (2011). Asthma in the Elderly: Current Understanding and Future Research Needs\u2014a Report of a National Institute on Aging (NIA) Workshop. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 128(3), S4\u2013S24. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jaci.2011.06.048<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n 4. Dunn, R. M., Busse, P. J., & Wechsler, M. E. (2018). Asthma in the elderly and late-onset adult asthma. Allergy, 73(2), 284\u2013294. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/all.13258<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n 5. National Minority Quality Forum. (2019). National Minority Quality Forum asthma index. SHC Holdings LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2020 from https:\/\/index.nmqf.us\/index<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Print” module_id=”print” module_class=”clearfix” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”5156″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n
How Do Doctors Diagnose Asthma in Older Adults?<\/h3>\n
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How Do You Treat Asthma in Older Adults?<\/h3>\n
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What Are the Challenges of Asthma in Older Adults?<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nRelated Content<\/h3>\n
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References<\/h5>\n