Seniors' Allergy and Asthma

Article submitted by Shawky and Fikria Hassan, MD, Ph.D. of Allergy & Asthma Center.
For more information, they can be reached at 239-261-5599.

Allergy and Asthma are commonly thought of as diseases of children and are often diagnosed as new conditions in older people. Allergy and Asthma are usually associated problems because Allergy is the most common cause of Asthma in all ages. Allergy and Asthma can be very frightening diseases although they may begin only with a runny nose, nighttime cough or mild difficulty breathing.

Allergy symptoms in the upper respiratory passages are runny and stuffy nose, sore and itchy nose, frequent sinus symptoms, frequent respiratory infections, frequent shocking, laryngitis and hoarse voice. Allergy symptoms in the lungs are cough, shortness of breath and wheezing. Allergy symptoms in the skin are hives, eczema and other skin rashes. Allergy symptoms in the GI tract can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, stomach pain and in some cases bleeding.

Many seniors diagnosed with Allergy and Asthma has other health conditions to take into consideration. It can be more challenging to treat adult-onset asthma; hence you need expert advice to manage your Allergy and Asthma.

Most Allergy and Asthma patients do not outgrow their Allergy and Asthma. Some patients will not develop persistent allergy or asthma symptoms until their senior years even though they had their allergy problem such as sporadic hay fever or frequent sinus disease for decades. Common asthma triggers that affect younger people can also affect older people. If you have asthma, you need to be aware of all factors that trigger your Allergy and Asthma.

You may develop your symptoms when you are exposed to a cat or a dog. If your Allergy and Asthma are worse at specific times of the year, think of allergy to seasonal pollens. Dust mites and molds are common in humid environments. Some of the medications that are used to treat other diseases can provoke asthma. Examples of these medications are: beta-blocker eye drops for glaucoma, beta-blocker or ACE inhibitors for blood pressure, aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for arthritis like ibuprofen and naproxen and celebrex. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can produce asthma, or even exposure to cold air or exercise can produce Asthma symptoms. Respiratory infections are also a common trigger for asthma and are frequently mistaken with the more persistent symptoms caused by Allergy and Asthma.

Being aware of your asthma triggers can help control your asthma. We will help you explore your Allergy and Asthma triggers by identifying such triggers by history, exam and allergy testing teach you how to avoid them and sometimes treat you before you get exposed to these triggers.

Both asthma and COPD may cause shortness of breath on exertion and a cough. COPD is an abbreviated name given to emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Asthma and COPD are similar in many respects. It can be difficult even for a doctor to distinguish between them. Although it may take some time and effort, it is important to distinguish between asthma and COPD. The treatment for the two conditions is different, and you will greatly benefit from an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.

Here are some statistics about allergies:

• Allergies affect as many as 40 to 50 million people in the US.
• Affect more than 20% of the U.S. population.
• The sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States.
• 36 million people in the US have seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
• 16.7 million office visits to health care providers each year for allergic rhinitis.
• Immunotherapy is successful in 85% of patients with allergic rhinitis.
• Estimated overall costs of allergic rhinitis in the United States in 1996 totaled $6 billion.
• In 1998, increased absenteeism and reduced productivity due to allergies cost U.S. companies more than $250 million.
• Sinusitis develops in approximately 31 million Americans each year.
• Chronic sinusitis affects nearly 35 million people in the United States.
• People suffering from sinusitis miss an average of four days of work each year.
• There are more than 18 million office visits to primary care physicians resulting in a diagnosis of sinusitis annually.
• In 1996, cost of sinusitis in the United States was over $5.8 billion.
• There is an association between sinusitis and asthma. The incidence of sinusitis in asthmatic subjects ranges from 40 to 75%.
• Allergic drug reactions account for 5 to 10 percent of all adverse drug reactions, with skin reaction being the most common form.
• Penicillin is a common cause of drug allergy. Anaphylactic reactions to penicillin cause 400 deaths.
• Allergic dermatitis (itchy rash) is the most common skin condition in children younger than 11 years of age.
• Acute urticaria (hives) is common, affecting 10 to 20 percent of the population at some time in their lives. Half of those affected continue to have symptoms for more than 6 months.
• Contact dermatitis and other eczema was diagnosed at over 8.5 million office visits to physicians and at 499,000 hospital outpatient visits.