Asthma is commonly thought of as a childhood disease. Many people develop asthma as children, and in some cases the symptoms subside as the child grows. Yet asthma symptoms can reappear — or appear — at any age. People in their 50s, 60s, and older have been diagnosed with asthma even with no history of asthma symptoms. When this happens, it's called adult-onset or late-onset asthma.
Seniors make up almost 10 percent of the 20 million Americans now estimated to have asthma. Some studies indicate that more than 25 percent of seniors have some form of wheezing, a common symptom of asthma. Wheezing is not necessarily a guarantee that you have asthma, and you can have asthma without wheezing. That's one of the difficulties of diagnosing asthma in older adults. The symptoms can be confusing.
Asthma symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, and other diseases can mimic or mask asthma symptoms. Diseases and conditions that can be confused with asthma include:
- Hiatal hernia
- Stomach problems
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis
- Heart disease
- Recurrent pulmonary embolism
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- Vocal cord dysfunction
- Airway blocked by a tumor, lymph node, or foreign body
- Drug-induced cough
- Chronic lung diseases (occupational, parasitic, or infectious diseases)
- Lung cancer
- Panic attacks
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Symptoms
The symptoms for adult-onset asthma differ slightly from childhood asthma. They might include:
- Dry cough (especially at night or when you're exposed to allergens)
- A recurring cough that lasts more than a week (you may or may not cough up mucus)
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing (often, only when you have a cold, or never)
- Shortness of breath (occasionally or frequently)
- Chest tightness (after exercising or in cold weather)
- Colds that go to your chest or hang on for more than 10 days
Factors
Actually, scientists are not sure why older adults develop asthma. Possible factors might include:
- Heredity
- Obesity
- Hormones (estrogen and progesterone)
- Exposure to pollutants, such as cigarette smoke and cigars
- Severe illnesses, viruses, or infections, such as bronchitis, sinus infection, or pneumonia
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- Medications (such as sulfites, aspirin, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Cold air
- Pollutants
- Occupational exposures
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease or heartburn
- Allergies (especially pollen, cats, or dust mites)
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Seek Out an Asthma Specialist
As people age, they naturally experience decreased lung capacity. While this may be a cause for some physicians to overlook asthma, it is not a factor for the disease. If you feel you have asthma, be sure to talk with an asthma specialist. He or she will ask you about your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and have you take a lung function test. You may also be tested for allergies. If you have asthma, your doctor can prescribe medicines for you, keeping your health history in mind.
Be aware that certain drugs make asthma symptoms worse, including:
- Blood pressure and heart drugs
- Aspirin
- Sleeping pills and tranquilizers
And, some medications taken for asthma can have undesirable side effects:
- Some medications cause irregular heartbeat
- Oral steroids can worsen glaucoma, cataract, and osteoporosis
- Antihistamines can cause men with enlarged prostates to retain urine
Be sure the doctor treating your asthma knows all the medications you are taking (including vitamins), and is aware of all your medical conditions. You and your physician, working together, can successfully treat your asthma. |
