Asthma and Allergies at an Older Age

For people with asthma, age can bring a bit of relief from the symptoms. But asthma can also appear at any time of life. And because your body is less able to tolerate medications as you age, your asthma medications and dosages may need to be adjusted.

A woman who is past menopause, for instance, should not take oral corticosteroids for long periods of time for asthma. These medications will affect bone mineral density even more rapidly than they do in younger people. This will make osteoporosis worse and increase the risk for fracture. Long-term steroid use also decreases bone mineral density in men. Older adults who take long-term oral corticosteroids are more likely to have other complications such as cataracts, hypertension, high blood sugar, and decreasing muscle mass.

Similar symptoms

Sometimes symptoms caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can appear to be asthma. In older people, the typical symptoms of GERD are more often chronic cough than heartburn. This is especially true in older adults who suddenly develop asthma symptoms. When GERD is treated, asthma symptoms go away. Respiratory infections such as influenza can bring on a new onset of asthma in older people. An annual flu shot can prevent influenza.

Many people with asthma also have allergies. Although long-time allergies might taper off with the years, the coast isn't clear, says S. Michael Phillips, M.D., a Philadelphia allergy specialist. You can still develop new allergies. Take the case of a 55-year-old father who moves his family cross-country to a new area. Both the father and his 15-year-old son develop a seasonal allergy to something growing in the area. "It's common for the father to get the worse allergy," says Dr. Phillips. That's because although the immune system in the father is still strong, it's not as flexible as it once was. Retirees who move to another part of the country also can develop new allergies.

New allergies

It's also very common for retirees to develop animal allergies, Dr. Phillips says. Many single oldsters get pets for companionship. Cats, in particular, can be a problem because their saliva is extremely allergenic.

In addition to new allergies, older adults also can develop a copycat condition called vasomotor rhinitis (VMR). The symptoms of VMR are exactly like an allergic reaction—runny nose, itchy and watery eyes. Scott J. Frankel, M.D., an allergist in Olathe, Kan., says that many times older patients are referred to his practice because of a suspected allergy that turns out to be VMR. VMR is likely caused by a nerve imbalance in the nose. It can be triggered by sudden changes in temperature, humidity, or air pressure, by strong odors (both good and bad), aerosol sprays, and cigarette smoke.