Asthma patients often can detect lung changes with a peak flow meter before they actually experience any changes. Visit your physician regularly for further in-office tests. Lung testing is painless and provides valuable data that helps your physician make adjustments in your medication. Make an asthma management plan with your physician. A plan establishes guidelines that tell you what to do if your asthma symptoms get worse.
In order to determine relevant triggers, you may want to seek consultation with an allergist who can further define these triggers. In addition, anyone with asthma should consider getting an annual flu shot. Older adults also should talk with their internist about getting a pneumonia vaccination. Many older patients are treated for asthma by their internist or family physician; however, if your asthma symptoms are not under control within three to six months, or if you have severe persistent asthma, or if you are having asthma episodes that need emergency treatment, it may be time to see an asthma specialist.
Those who have completed training in those specialties are usually called board-certified or board-eligible. The key to good living with asthma is developing a strong partnership between patients, caregivers, and physicians. Practical steps include the following:. An asthma management plan helps you understand what to do when specific situations arise. Each time you visit the physician, talk about your plan, and make any necessary changes.
Stay informed about the latest developments in asthma and allergy care and treatment. Ask your physician about new medications or research findings that may relate to your care. If you have asthma, you should see your physician at least once a year, even if your symptoms are under control.
When you become sick, or if you have significant changes in your health, you should also talk with your physician about how your asthma could be affected. Use your medications as prescribed. With good management, asthma symptoms can be controlled.
Most people who develop adult onset asthma are able to lead normal lives. Expect success! People with multiple medical conditions need to be aware of how their illnesses and the medications they use may affect one another. If you take more than one medication, talk with your physician about ways to simplify your medication program. Explore the possibility of combining medications or using alternate ones that will have the same desired effect. Be sure to discuss potential drug interactions with anything you take including vitamins or herbal supplements.
Most health insurance plans provide some level of coverage for asthma patients. Key points Adult-onset asthma is often overlooked or misdiagnosed, especially in older age groups.
Diagnosis is based on objective lung function testing. Regular preventive therapy is important for those with ongoing symptoms. Poor treatment responses should prompt an assessment of inhaler technique.
Worsening asthma not responding to appropriate therapy, ongoing severe asthma or acute flare-ups should prompt specialist assessment. References National Asthma Council Australia.
Australian Asthma Handbook. Version 1. Melbourne: National Asthma Council Australia, Available at www. Canberra: ABS, Asthma in older adults. Lancet ;— The needs of older people with asthma. Aust Fam Physician ;— Asthma in the elderly: diagnosis and management.
J Allergy Clin Immunol ;— Three phenotypes of adult-onset asthma. Allergy ;— Decline of lung function in adults with bronchial asthma. Occup Med ;— Morbidity, medication and trigger factors in a community sample of adults with asthma. Med J Aust ;— Work-related exacerbation of asthma. Int J Occup Environ Hlth ;— Work related asthma.
Diagnosis and management. Overweight, obesity, and incident asthma: A meta-analysis of prospective epidemiologic studies.
Prospective study of body mass index, weight change, and risk of adult-onset asthma in women. Arch Intern Med ;— Factors associated to lifestyle and risk of adult onset asthma. Resp Med ;— Rhinitis as an independent risk factor for adult-onset asthma. Rhinitis increase the risk for adult-onset asthma — A Swedish population-based case-control study MAP-study.
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide FeNO — measures the level of inflammation in your airways. Bronchial challenge — investigates how sensitive your airways are to a deliberately administered irritant histamine or methacholine. This specialist test is only done under medical supervision in hospital.
Can asthma go away in adults? Treatment of asthma in adults The medications and treatments for adult asthma are: Anti-inflammatories — inhaled corticosteroids are taken daily to prevent asthma symptoms by reducing airway sensitivity and inflammation. Steroid tablets can be taken for acute flare-ups and more severe asthma.
Bronchodilators — inhaled short-acting and long-acting bronchodilators are taken occasionally to relieve symptoms. Leukotriene receptor antagonists — daily tablets to improve prevention if needed. Theophylline — taken daily to prevent symptoms if they are still not well controlled. Bronchial thermoplasty — is a surgical procedure done on the airway itself to reduce its thickness. Tips to manage adult-onset asthma Use and follow your Personal Action Plan PAP , sometimes called an Asthma Management Plan Take your daily preventer inhaler even if you feel fit and well Always keep your reliever inhaler with you Have a review with your doctor or asthma nurse at least once a year Have a seasonal flu vaccine and also pneumococcal vaccine to protect against pneumonia If you smoke, get the help needed to quit Maintain a healthy weight Exercise regularly, eat healthily and get enough sleep.
If symptoms arise when exercising — rest, use your reliever inhaler to recover before continuing. Having difficulty breathing is a common complaint from many asthma patients. Treating asthma in adults is often different than in children. You and your pulmonologist will develop an asthma action plan for avoiding triggers and managing symptoms when they worsen.
Toggle navigation. You can develop asthma as an adult.
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