Why Is Asthma Hard to Diagnose in the Older Adults?
A diagnosis of asthma may be missed in an older person because other health problems may mask the disease. In particular, heart disease and emphysema (another respiratory illness that causes breathing problems) are more common in this age group. The symptoms of illnesses such as these can be similar to those of asthma. This is why the signs and symptoms of asthma may not be identified right away. It is also why asthma may go untreated. Another reason why asthma can be hard to spot among older adults has to do with their lifestyles. Older persons are more likely to have inactive lifestyles. Part of the reason for this is because health problems that prevent physical activity are more common with age. One of the ways in which asthma is recognized among younger persons is by the symptoms of wheezing and breathing problems during and after exercise. But if a patient rarely exercises, the opportunity for asthma to produce these symptoms may rarely arise. Asthma symptoms among older adults a
