We all know kids who have asthma, but adults, too, can be diagnosed with the disease, causing the potential for health issues because adults tend to have decreased lung capacity as they age. While there are many causes, including allergies or irritants in the home or work environments, the diagnosis of asthma is on the rise in adults. If you are diagnosed with asthma, is important to know what it is, what triggers your symptoms, and the best options for treatment.
Asthma is a respiratory condition marked by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty breathing. It usually results from an allergic reaction or other form of hypersensitivity, including pet hair or dander, dust mites, certain medicines, chemicals in the air or food, exercise or changes in the weather. People with asthma have attacks separated by symptom-free periods. The most common symptoms are coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath that gets worse with activity and/or tightness in the chest.
While the symptoms in older adults with asthma are similar to those of younger people, there are also ways that it differs. Often, greater amounts of medication may be needed to maintain normal breathing in older adults. Asthma in children usually goes into remission; in older adults, this is rarely the case. Multiple medications for other diagnoses may make it difficult to treat an older person, because asthma medications can react with these other treatments, causing unpleasant side effects or worsening asthma symptoms. Asthma may be difficult to diagnose in older adults because other health problems, like heart disease and emphysema, are more common in this age group and the symptoms may be similar to those of asthma.
While there is no cure for asthma, in most people symptoms can be controlled by maintenance or control medications which can be taken orally or inhaled, and inhaled rescue medications for quick relief. It is important for those with asthma to know how to care for themselves at home:
- See your doctor after any severe asthma attack, or if you are using your rescue inhaler more than twice a week;
- Learn how to take your peak flow reading (using a peak flow meter, a device which measures how quickly you can move air into and out of your lungs. It can help you see an attack coming, even before symptoms occur)
- Know which triggers make your asthma worse, and what to do when this happens
Most people with asthma can continue their healthy, active lifestyle. Partner with your doctor to communicate about your asthma, and be sure that your adult years are as comfortable, active and healthy as possible.
