Lung diseases are common in older adults. If you are a caregiver, it is essential to know what types are there and how can they be treated. In most cases, if detected on time and managed appropriately, they can be cured.
Common Lung Illnesses Among Aging Adults
Bronchial Asthma
Most seniors are likely to develop this condition as their airways become sensitive to environmental stimuli with age. The best way to treat this illness is with steroids, but for seniors who can’t use them, there are other ways.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
This disease is actually a couple of illnesses mixed together. The medical community is calling it COPD. The most common treatment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is rescue inhalers and inhaled steroids.
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Community-Acquired Pneumonia
To avoid catching this disease, older adults should get a pneumonia shot. If they don’t do this and get pneumonia, the best treatment is with antibiotics. The bad thing is: if it’s not diagnosed on time, it requires hospitalization.
Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary Embolism is caused by blood clots in the lungs. When this happens, the elderly are likely to feel severe pain in the chest area. Two ways that you can break the clot is by blood thinners or by invasive procedures. If your loved one feels chest pain, they should visit a doctor immediately.
Sleep-Disordered Breathing
This condition often goes hand-to-hand with sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea causes seniors’ airways to close while they sleep, but they continue to try and breathe. It usually appears after the brain goes through some type of trauma. Older adults can experience both of these conditions.
Lung Cancer
This type of cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. The treatment varies from chemotherapy, to radiation, to surgery. It shows no symptoms in the early stages of development, and this is why it’s hard to detect, also making the treatment more difficult.
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