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Seniors and Asthma
Asthma
Triggers in Seniors Although some asthma patients "outgrow their asthma," most do not. Some patients even wait until their senior years to develop asthma. Common asthma triggers that affect younger people can also affect older people. If you have asthma, you need to be aware of situations and exposures that trigger your asthma response. You may find that you wheeze and cough when you are exposed to a cat or a dog. Sometimes this will appear a year or two after you have given the furry critter a home and fallen in love with it. If your asthma is worse at specific times of the year, it may be related to seasonal pollens. You might also note that you have difficulty when you cut grass or pull weeds. Dust mites and molds are common in humid environments and will bother you when you stir them up by vacuuming the overstuffed furniture or shaking the rug. As we age, infirmities also begin to bother us. Medications that are sometimes used to treat other diseases can provoke asthma. That strong beta-blocker eye drop that you take for glaucoma might enhance your asthma response. A beta-blocker or an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that you take for blood pressure can provoke a cough. The average age for the onset of aspirin-induced asthma is 46 years. The aspirin reaction can also be caused by other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen. COX-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib (Celebrex) are much less likely to cause an allergy reaction or asthma attack. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or that heartburn that comes after eating a big meal before bed can provoke asthma. Protein pump inhibitors such as omeprazole (available over the counter) can control GERD. Wearing a scarf over your face can help the asthma that comes from exposure to cold air. Using your inhaled bronchodilator before you exercise can help the asthma produced by exercise. Respiratory infections are a common trigger for asthma. Those slobbery kisses from cute grandchild can be laden with germs. Some of those can't be prevented, but at least you can take a flu shot every fall. The public health recommendation for a Pneumococcal vaccine shot for everyone over age 65 is particularly applicable for asthma patients. 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. Referral to an allergist can help document causes of your asthma, as 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. Richard W. Honsinger, Jr., MD, FAAAAI, is a practicing allergist in Los Alamos, NM, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). |
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© 1996-2008 · All Rights Reserved · American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology |
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