AARP Hearing Center
How Should I Handle My Asthma Diagnosis?
How to manage symptoms and lessen the effects of triggers in adult-onset asthma
James Yates
How should I handle my new asthma diagnosis?
The first thing I want you to know is that you’re not alone. One in 10 older adults has asthma, and adult-onset asthma is more common than many people realize. Understanding what drives this condition can help you replace any fear or anxiety with something much more useful. Instead of being a passenger to your condition, you take the steering wheel.
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In simple terms, asthma causes the airways that carry air in and out of your lungs to become inflamed, narrowed and clogged with mucus. This can lead to wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.
One of the most important things you can do, besides taking medication, is learn to identify your asthma triggers. For some people, it’s poor air quality or allergies. For others, it could be cigarette smoke, mold, pet dander, cold, dry air, strong odors, respiratory infections, stress or wildfire smoke. Even acid reflux, something many people never associate with their lungs, can set off a flare-up. Why? Because stomach acid irritates the airways.
I often encourage patients to make their home more “lung-friendly.” For instance, a HEPA air purifier can reduce airborne irritants. Washing and drying bedding at high temperatures every week kills pesky dust mites. If pollen levels are high, exercising indoors is often safer. And if smoke, including wood smoke or secondhand smoke, bothers your breathing, minimizing your exposure to it can make a difference.
Exercise is actually good for asthma, which often surprises people. Regular physical activity improves conditioning and lung capacity and helps your body use oxygen more efficiently. Walking, swimming and light cycling all support lung health. The key is to warm up beforehand, pace yourself, and bring along a rescue inhaler if your doctor has recommended it. Breathing exercises may also help, but discuss them with your doctor before starting.
Medications are an important part of asthma control, especially as we get older. Many people use two types of inhalers. One is a “rescue” inhaler that quickly opens up the airways and relieves symptoms; the other is a daily controller medication, often an inhaled corticosteroid, that reduces airway inflammation over time.
For adults over age 50, choosing the right medication really matters because some treatments can affect bone density, heart rhythm or blood pressure, which is particularly concerning for people with osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, newer inhalers are generally very safe when used correctly, and your doctor will select the option that best fits your overall health and lifestyle.
Vaccinations are another critical piece of care. Viral respiratory infections, such as flu, pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19, can trigger severe asthma flare-ups. Adults 65 and older already face higher risks from those infections, and asthma increases them further. Staying current with those vaccines is one of the smartest steps you can take.
I also encourage you to think about your overall health, not just your lungs. Conditions such as acid reflux, chronic sinus problems, obesity and anxiety can worsen asthma. Emerging research into the "gut-lung axis” has found that the health of your digestive system and microbiome may influence inflammation in your lungs.
Nutrition matters, too. If you’re deficient in vitamin D, correcting that deficiency may support lung health. Some patients find that magnesium helps because it may relax muscles surrounding the airways. But always discuss supplements with your physician before starting them.
Asthma also changes over time. Our lung capacity naturally declines as we age, which is one reason asthma may appear, or worsen, later in life. Regular follow-ups with your doctor are essential. Luckily, treatments for asthma continue to improve. Some people do very well with inhalers, while others benefit from nebulizers, especially if arthritis or coordination problems make inhalers difficult to use.
Finally, if your symptoms are getting worse, don’t ignore them. Asthma attacks can come on quickly. If during the day or at night you notice increased shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, coughing or more frequent use of rescue inhalers, contact your doctor promptly.
Once you learn your triggers, develop an effective treatment plan and follow it consistently, asthma will become something you manage rather than something that controls you. Medications matter, but so do sleep, exercise, your environment and your overall health. The goal is to breathe easier so you can keep doing the things you love.
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