Why Is My Asthma Getting Worse with Age?

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects the respiratory health of 24 million Americans. Asthma-related breathing issues may worsen as people age, putting some at increased risk of infections and other complications.

At Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep, we specialize in diagnosing, treating, and managing asthma and other lung diseases. Our highly skilled pulmonary specialists, Ashok Tyagi, DO, CPE, and Himanshu Chandarana, MD, design treatment plans to treat the symptoms of asthma. 

They can also recommend therapies that reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks and prevent complications in your respiratory health as you age.

A brief overview of asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in your airways and triggers excess mucus production in the lungs. These issues make it difficult for oxygen to travel in and out of the lungs.

Asthma triggers can include:

• Cold weather
• Strenuous activity
• Viral infections (colds, flu)
• Certain foods and medications
• Allergens (dust, pollen, insect stings)
• Cigarette smoke and other air pollutants
• Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

People with a family history of asthma or allergies may be at increased risk. However, the condition can develop anytime, especially in smokers and those exposed to environmental pollution.

Possible reasons your asthma gets worse with age

One of the primary reasons asthma symptoms get more severe or more frequent as you get older is age-related changes in the lungs. 

Aging naturally weakens the lungs and chest muscles, reducing breathing efficiency. Also, your lungs become less elastic, and your airways stiffen, so you may not be able to exhale as fully as when you were younger.

Other age-related issues that increase your risk of asthma-related complications include:

Lifestyle changes

Older people may not be as active as before, which can affect metabolism and lead to weight gain. Excess weight can contribute to worsening asthma symptoms.

Reduced immunity

Aging immune systems may struggle to fight off colds and other viral infections efficiently, leading to recurrent respiratory infections that trigger asthma attacks.

Treatment challenges

Older people might struggle to use inhaled medications correctly to control asthma flare-ups due to arthritis and other issues that affect dexterity. Cognitive decline can also cause issues with taking oral asthma medications consistently.

Tips for managing asthma as you age

Because asthma is a chronic condition, it’s essential to keep up with your routine medical visits and your Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep treatment plan. Also, report changes in your asthma symptoms right away so we can assess your lung health and adjust your plan.

If your asthma symptoms become frequent or more serious, we might change the dosage or type of asthma medications you use. Our physicians may also prescribe medications to treat GERD or allergies that contribute to asthma attacks.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential to managing asthma over the long term. We can recommend physical exercises you can do regularly to stay fit and breathing exercises that strengthen your lungs.

Call Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep in St. Petersburg, Florida, today to schedule an asthma evaluation.