Geriatric Respiratory Infections Treatment Q&A

While any respiratory illness or infection can be of concern for an elderly individual, some respiratory diseases pose more significant threats to their health due to their impact and the frequency of infections. With that in mind, some common respiratory diseases that are of particular concern for the elderly include the following:

– Asthma
– Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
– Influenza
– Lung cancer
– Pneumonia

There are several different reasons why older adults and the elderly are more likely to experience respiratory infections than the rest of the population.

As we age, our bodies tend to become more frail, leading to an increased vulnerability to injury and infection. While such decline happens at differing speeds for each individual, it is a natural part of the aging process.

In connection with general frailty, it is also a natural part of the aging process to have a weakening immune system, known as immunosenescence, which makes it more challenging to fight off infections or heal from injuries.

Additionally, the older we get, the more likely we are to develop one or more medical conditions, such as diabetes, dementia, heart disease, or Parkinson’s disease, which can further deplete our immune system. As such, the presence of one or more medical conditions in older adults can also cause them to experience respiratory infections more often than younger individuals without underlying medical conditions.

In addition to the classic symptoms of a respiratory infection or illness, which can include fatigue, fever and chills, cough, muscle aches, and other symptoms, older patients are also more likely to experience the following symptoms:

– Appetite loss
– Chest pains that worsen with a cough or deep inhalations
– Confusion or delirium
– Feeling weak or unsteady
– Lower than normal body temperature
– Rapid breathing
– Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
– Urinary incontinence
– Worsening of existing health conditions

Several factors can increase the risk of respiratory infection in older adults, in addition to the standard risk factors of respiratory infection. Some of the factors that increase the risk of respiratory infection in older adults include the following:

– High blood pressure or blood sugar
– Malnutrition
– Presence of underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory diseases
– Structural lung disease or impaired pulmonary function
– Weakened immune system

If you would like more information about how respiratory infections uniquely impact older adults, please feel free to contact us at Dr. Nassar, MD, in Redlands, California. We also welcome you to schedule an appointment with us right here on our website or by giving us a call. We are conveniently located at 255 Terracina Blvd, Suite 105 Redlands, CA 92373. We serve patients from Redlands CA, Loma Linda CA, Mentone CA, Highland CA, Moonlight Rim CA, Grand Terrace CA, El Casco CA, Greenspot CA, and surrounding areas.