The Elderly Patient with Asthma

Abstract

Treatment of the elderly patient who has asthma requires a special orientation on the part of the physician. He must be distinctly aware that asthma in the elderly is no different than asthma in any other age group. There does not appear to be any validity to the observation of different etiologies or different modes of therapy that are applicable to any age group. There are differences in frequency, of course. The pediatric patient is less apt to have occupational asthma and the elderly patient is less apt to have repeated episodes of asthma due to viral infections to which he has developed immunity over the years. Certain pitfalls must be avoided, however.