Can a 76-year-old with asthma benefit from a pulmonology review?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 76 and have had asthma for most of my life, along with COPD, which has changed over the years due to breathing problems. I have been using the same inhalers for a long time, but lately I have been more short of breath while doing simple activities.

This made me wonder if a 76-year-old with lifelong asthma can still benefit from an updated pulmonology review, or if treatment options become limited at this age. I feel like my breathing management may be outdated now.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The first treatment you have already taken is getting a consultation from a pulmonologist, and being 76 is not at all too late for a pulmonology review. Rather, most pulmonary diseases occur only in the elderly. It is great that you are being proactive about your health.

See, what you have got is called asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap. The inhaler you are using can be upgraded with an add-on drug, or its dose can be increased. A different type of inhaler can be prescribed, and a different oral agent can be given.

There are drugs called biologics, which can be very effective. Then there is pulmonary rehabilitation, which can be magical in some patients and has many components, including diet, exercise, and more.

But if you are having increased symptoms, other things also have to be focused on. These include controlling your comorbidities, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, hypertension, diabetes, etc.

Your inhaler technique, persistence of an allergen like friends who smoke nearby or molds in the house, some acute infection, or a process called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. These are all important considerations as well.

So, keeping all of this in mind, it is better to go to a chest physician who will treat you holistically.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.