The One Thing Pulmonologists Are Begging People Over 50 With Asthma to Stop Doing
Even if you’ve had asthma for as long as you can remember, like other conditions, it can change as you get older. As the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports, asthma is common in adults 65 and older, with 7.8% of people presenting with symptoms—and it may not be the asthma you were accustomed to in your younger years. It can be riskier to do certain things when you’re an older adult with asthma, to the point that pulmonologists are begging people with asthma over 50 to stop doing one thing in particular.
What Is Asthma?
Just as a refresher, asthma is defined as a lifelong but manageable condition that can make breathing difficult, as Dr. Benjamin Silverman, MD, a pulmonologist at Kaiser Permanente in Largo, Maryland, shares. “It causes the inflammation and tightening of the airways and lungs, which can make breathing a challenge,” he adds.
Dr. Francis V. Adams, MD, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, elaborates, saying the lung’s swollen, narrow airways can lead to an overproduction of mucus—this is what can make it difficult to breathe.
What Causes Asthma?
According to Dr. Silverman, asthma attacks can be triggered by allergens such as household dust, pollens, grasses and animal hair, as well as non-allergic irritants like smoke, fumes or pollution.
“Asthma often runs in families and is more common in people with allergies,” he says.
Symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, coughing, mucus production and wheezing.
The One Thing Pulmonologists Are Begging People With Asthma Over 50 to Stop Doing
When it comes to the one thing that people with asthma over 50 need to stop doing, Dr. Silverman and Dr. Adams are on the same page—to stop all forms of smoking.
“The one thing pulmonologists are begging people with asthma over 50 to stop doing is smoking,” Dr. Adams states. “This includes cigarettes, cigars and marijuana. Asthmatics should also stop vaping. All of these inhalants increase inflammation in the airways and may trigger asthma attacks, increase asthma symptoms and permanently damage the lungs. The end result of smoking is COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is irreversible.”
Dr. Silverman says that although it’s strongly advised for those with asthma over 50 to stop smoking, quitting smoking applies to asthmatics in all age groups.
Related: How the Right Asthma Treatment Helped One Patient Breathe Easier
How Does Asthma Change When You’re Over 50?
“As you age, asthma symptoms can become more severe,” Dr. Silverman explains. “Older adults are at a higher risk for complications from common respiratory infections, including COVID-19, influenza and RSV.”
Dr. Adams says that if asthma develops later in life, it can resemble childhood asthma and produce similar symptoms, but often with different causes or triggers.
“It’s more common in women and may occur with changes in hormone levels,” he notes.
Related: 'I'm a Pulmonologist, and This Is the Daily Habit I Swear By for Lung Health'
Treatments and Lifestyle Habits
When advising his asthmatic patients, Dr. Silverman says that developing healthy lifestyle habits is crucial when managing asthma. He says that this includes not smoking, staying current with recommended vaccinations and engaging in moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, five times a week.
“To control symptoms, avoid known triggers and follow your asthma action plan,” he says. “For example, avoid exercising outdoors when it's cold and dry and stay inside when pollution levels are high.”
You can also turn to what Dr. Adams calls an “asthma diet,” one that is rich in fruits and vegetables and contains antioxidants along with vitamins C and D.
“Obesity is a risk factor for developing asthma, so weight reduction and regular exercise are important,” he explains. “Yoga can be helpful in asthma, providing better control of breathing and an increased lung capacity.”
Calling it a “highly treatable and reversible condition,” Dr. Adams says that it’s important to see your physician regularly to ensure that your asthma is under control and that you’re receiving the correct medication. Medical treatments for asthma include inhalers, oral corticosteroids and biologic agents.
And of course, making smoking a thing of the past will make you feel a lot better too.
Next up, learn more about every asthma treatment option that’s available.
Sources
Benjamin Silverman, MD, a pulmonologist at Kaiser Permanente in Largo, Maryland.
Francis V. Adams, MD, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA): “Asthma in Older Adults”
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