Asthma Tricky to Diagnose in Seniors

It’s no secret that arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure and osteoporosis are ailments often related to aging. Mention asthma, though, and most seniors breathe a sigh of relief. That disease, they assume, is more likely to affect their grandkids than themselves. But in fact, asthma is common among people over 65, and it can cause serious problems.

Asthma is a condition that causes inflammation, narrowing and obstruction of the airways, making it difficult to breathe. Many things can trigger attacks, including viruses, smoke, pollen, environmental pollutants, animal dander, even going from a warm house to the cold air outdoors. For some individuals, asthma may be a continuing problem from younger years, while others develop the condition late in life.

Statistics show that most deaths caused by asthma occur in older patients, and the disease accounts for huge health-care costs, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Yet too often, asthma is misdiagnosed or goes untreated in older people. The main reason, say experts, is that symptoms, including wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness, also can be caused by other illnesses.

“Shortness of breath can be a symptom of heart disease, emphysema or chronic bronchitis,” said Dr. Daniel McNally, chief of pulmonary medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center. “Or the first episode can follow a cold or the flu [and] appear to be lingering effects of a viral infection.”

Older patients are more likely to have side effects from asthma medications or experience drug interactions from taking asthma medications along with prescriptions for other conditions. But there are steps you can take to have the condition diagnosed quickly and get it under control.

First, tell your doctor about any symptoms you are experiencing. Talk about all the medications you take. Mention all prescription and nonprescription drugs, including such things as aspirin, herbal remedies, even eyedrops.

If you are prescribed medication that must be inhaled, be sure you are doing it properly. If you experience difficulty using an inhaler, let your doctor know. (There are adapters available that can make inhalers easier to use.) Ask for a written treatment plan that states when and how much to take of each of your asthma medicines. If you have trouble reading fine print, ask your pharmacist to provide the information in larger type.

Watch for early symptoms and respond quickly. You can learn to tell when an attack is coming if you keep track of your symptoms, how bad they are and when they occur.

Tobacco smoke and air pollution can make asthma worse. Avoid smoky areas, and check air quality indexes before exercising or gardening. Once you know what triggers your attacks, remove it--or yourself--from the immediate environment. Finally, ask about getting a flu shot and a vaccine to prevent pneumonia.