Baby boomers with asthma may face other health complications
Managing symptoms of asthma with popular medications such as Advair is crucial to avoiding future respiratory complications.
Managing symptoms of asthma with popular medications such as Advair is crucial to avoiding future respiratory complications. But there are some demographics who deal with the breathing disorder in different ways than others. Research has indicated that female baby boomers are the latest group highly devastated by asthma, including facing the risk of multiple health ailments because of their asthmatic condition.
In a study published by the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, researchers analyzed how female baby boomers aged 65 or older with asthma are now considered to be at a greater risk for various health disorders than other people suffering from respiratory complications. Women aged 65 or older are now at a significantly higher rate of having asthma than men of the same age. Older women also face a higher likelihood of becoming obese or depressed as well as experiencing more severe asthma attacks.
The study indicated that while asthma rates are generally no greater in older women than with other U.S. demographics, the amount of illnesses and death are immensely higher.
Menopause was a key component to the higher rates of asthma attacks. The researchers acknowledged that women going through hormone replacement therapy tended to have a higher risk of developing asthma, suggesting that female baby boomers with asthma should weigh the potential hazards and benefits hormone replacement therapy could have on their breathing condition.
Depression was another disorder commonly experienced by older women living with asthma. Approximately 15 to 35 percent of senior females show symptoms of depression, leading researchers to urge older female asthma patients to discuss depression treatment with their physicians.
Dr. Alan Baptist, a member of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and lead study author, wants older women to start becoming more conscious about their increased risk for asthma as well as other severe health ailments.
"Allergists want older women to understand that getting their asthma under control can help them control a range of other adverse health conditions," Baptist said in a statement. "Recent studies have shown that older women with multiple health problems admit that asthma takes a backseat to other conditions. We want them, with the help of their allergists, to view controlling their asthma as a priority."
Testing for asthma
The best way to know if you're at risk for asthma is to get tested. It's a relatively simple process that requires doctors to merely look over your previous medical history, administer a few physical exams and provide tests that measure your breathing ability.
If you've been diagnosed with asthma, remember that Advair is a proven medication when it comes to preventing symptoms, and you can always refill your prescription using a Canadian pharmacy.
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