While asthma is often associate as a disease that children usually have, many people can still be diagnosed with it even way into adult life. For seniors, asthma can be a new condition that can make their conditions worse. You won’t often find out about it until asthma attacks put them in danger.
If your elderly parent or loved one has trouble breathing, make sure you have them checked, as undiagnosed asthma is very dangerous. This is especially true if they suddenly have asthma attacks. So don’t just chalk it up to aging, being overweight, or other health problems, and see your doctor about it.
However, if your senior loved one has already been diagnosed with asthma, here are some tips to prevent asthma attacks from happening.
Preventing Asthma Attacks in Seniors
1. Use allergy-proof covers on your pillows and mattresses.
2. Wash your beddings weekly in hot water.
3. Use a dehumidifier at home to help reduce excess moisture in the air and prevent mold in your home.
4. Pets can set off asthma attacks, so avoid them or don’t allow them in your bedroom or on your furniture.
5. Don’t use carpets in bedrooms.
6. Prevent molds in your home by fixing leaky faucets and keeping bathrooms dry.
7. Stop smoking and avoid being around people who are smoking as this can easily trigger asthma attacks.
8. Avoid harsh cleaning products and chemicals.
9. Avoid stress and strong emotions, as these can also trigger asthma attacks.
10. Anticipate seasonal allergies.
11. Keep quick-relief asthma medication with you and your elderly loved one at all times.
12. Visit your doctor regularly.
Asthma is a long-term, even life-long, medical condition. Just because your elderly loved one is not having asthma attacks doesn’t mean the asthma is not there. It still is.
It pays to always be prepared and to help manage asthma symptoms, as well as prevent asthma attacks with these tips.