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Asthma in older people
Author(s) -
Dow L
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1998.028s5195.x
Subject(s) - polypharmacy , asthma , medicine , inhaler , bronchospasm , intensive care medicine , population , pediatrics , physical therapy , environmental health
From the clinical perspective, asthma in the older patient may be difficult to diagnose because of the non‐specificity of presentation and the wide range of differential diagnoses. Prior to confirmation of asthma in the older patient, both respiratory and cardiac investigation may be necessary. Polypharmacy is inherent in treating older people and accurate drug histories are essential in order to identify patients with drug‐induced bronchospasm and avoid interactions with asthma medication. Patient and carer education is vital, and a structured approach to follow‐up which includes measurement of lung function and assessment of inhaler technique should be carried out in every asthmatic regardless of age. Finally, there is a great need for health services and those in the commercial sector that are involved in asthma care to ensure that future research and development rises to the challenge of an ageing population.