What are the causes of asthma in the elderly? Asthma in the elderly is a common disease, especially in the elderly. Experts say that because the body organs of the elderly have gradually declined, the ability to resist diseases has decreased, and many subtle problems can lead to the occurrence of some diseases. What are the causes of asthma in the elderly? As follows: 1, long-term smoking long-term smoking is one of the important reasons for the onset of asthma in old age in later life. Long-term smoking is known to cause changes in airway hyperresponsiveness (BHR), which is one of the main pathophysiological features of asthma. What are the causes of asthma in the elderly? The prevalence of asthma is significantly higher in elderly smokers than in nonsmokers. Therefore smoking is considered to be a more important causative factor. Passive smoking status is also an important factor in triggering asthma. It is generally believed that the physical and chemical factor damage to the respiratory mucosa caused by long-term smoking and the exposure of nerve fibers caused by chronic inflammation can lead to increased airway reactivity, coupled with decreased elasticity of lung tissue and relative weakness of respiratory muscles in the elderly are more likely to develop asthma. 2.Cold air and exercise The water content and cellular heat in the cells of the elderly are relatively low, plus the ability of the elderly to change and adapt to temperature changes is significantly reduced, when encountering cold air stimulation is more likely to induce asthma. Due to the degeneration of systemic functions, especially the degeneration of cardiopulmonary function, elderly patients have a reduced ability to tolerate exercise load, or therefore the incidence of exercise asthma is higher in elderly asthma patients than in asthma patients of other ages. 3, neuromodulation mechanism The excitability of the vagus nerve is elevated at night in elderly asthmatic patients, and Lee et al. reported that 14 out of 15 cases of asthmatic breathers occurring after 60 years of age showed paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is an important factor in causing or aggravating asthma in the elderly, causing bronchoconstriction and spasm through “micro aspiration” and vagal reflex, leading to the occurrence of asthma. What are the causes of asthma in the elderly? Recent 24-hour pH tests in the esophagus showed that about 57% of elderly people with cough and wheezing had gastroesophageal reflux. 5. Allergic or other factors In general, the degree of allergic reaction of the body will decrease with age, such as the degree of allergic reaction to dust mites, pollen and other allergens will be reduced, so the allergic factors in the pathogenesis of childhood asthma are obviously more important than that of senile asthma, but allergens are still important factors in senile asthma. Other factors that can induce airway hyperresponsiveness such as smoke, paints and fragrances can also induce asthma in the elderly. Certain food additives, preservatives, bleaches, etc. can also be triggering factors for asthma in the elderly.