Older adults often think their breathing problems are simply part of getting a bit older, or because they are 'out of shape', slowing down or overweight. 

• Do you cough or wheeze?
• Do you get short of breath when doing daily activities like shopping, housework, gardening, climbing stairs, walking or just resting?
• Do breathing difficulties interrupt your sleep?

Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath are not normal — no matter how old you are.

Persistent breathlessness can make normal day-to-day activities a real chore.  Sometimes people limit their activities to avoid breathing problems – without even thinking about it. 

While it is natural to become short of breath after running a short distance or climbing a flight of stairs, shortness of breath with less strenuous activity, or during activities that did not make you short of breath before, or for no apparent reason, is not generally normal; it usually does indicate that there's something the matter.

Shortness of breath or breathing problems can be caused by many things, such as a chest infection, pneumonia, or smoking.  One reason for shortness of breath is asthma. 

A recent Australian study indicates many people aged 65 and over could be living with asthma and don't even know it.  Official figures shows around 10 per cent of people over 65 years have asthma.  New asthma research suggests this underestimates the real picture.  As many as one-third of Australians over 65 years of age could be living with asthma that is not detected (or undiagnosed). 

There is something you can do.  Shortness of breath can be helped.  If you have an ongoing cough, wheeze or shortness of breath, see your doctor, even if it seems minor.  If it is asthma it can be managed.  Finding the problem means you and your doctor can bring it under control.  The health of your lungs will improve – and you'll start to breathe easy again. 

Don't suffer in silence.  Get the most out of life.  Whatever age you are you have as much right to good health as anyone else.

The Asthma Foundation of Victoria is running information sessions to talk about what can cause breathing problems, and what you can do to feel better. 

For more information on the 'How's your breathing?' information sessions, please contact The Asthma Foundation of Victoria on telephone toll free 1800 645 130.