Asthma treatment in older adults is often different from treatments for childhood asthma. Older adults may need adjustments to their asthma treatment based on medications they are taking for other conditions. When steroids are used as asthma treatment in older adults they may affect bone density, so calcium and vitamin D supplements may be required.
Older adults may need to have adjustments in their asthma treatment because of other diseases or conditions they have. Some medicines (like beta-blockers used for treating high blood pressure and glaucoma, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can interfere with asthma medications or even cause asthma attacks. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications that you take, including over-the-counter drugs. Using steroids may affect bone density in adults, so ask your doctor about taking calcium and vitamin D supplements, and other ways to help keep your bones strong.