Common asthma symptoms are wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. When these symptoms get worse, it's an asthma attack. Asthma symptoms may come and go, but the asthma is always there. To keep it under control, you need to work with your doctor and keep taking care of it. Asthma and Aging Many older adults have asthma.
Some people develop it late in life.
For others, it may be a continuing problem from younger years. The cause is not known. Asthma in older adults presents some special concerns. For example, the normal effects of aging can make asthma harder to diagnose and treat. Also, older adults are more likely than younger people to have side effects from asthma medicines.