Skip to main content
Diseases & Conditions

Ask the doctor: Asthma at any age

Print This Page
Q.I'm 50 years old, and lately I've been wheezing when I play tennis. Can I get asthma at my age?

Wheezes are musical sounds, sustained notes, produced somewhere in your respiratory system. Sometimes they occur when you breathe in and sometimes when you breathe out. They signal an obstruction somewhere in your respiratory system. Wheezes often occur during an asthma attack, when the small breathing tubes in the lungs clamp down and fill with mucous.

To continue reading this article, you must log in.

Source matters. Subscribe to HarvardHealthOnline+ FREE for 30 days for unlimited access to the site – where all content is reviewed by an HMS physician or faculty expert.

With HHO+ you get these exclusive benefits:

  • Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
  • 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
  • Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
  • In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
  • Interactive features like videos and quizzes
  • Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources

SPECIAL OFFER! UNLOCK EXPERT ACCESS for 30 days FREE!

Already a member? Login ».

Print This Page

Disclaimer:

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Free Healthbeat Signup

Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

Sign Up