[Management of respiratory diseases in the elderly].

Aspiration pneumonia is the fourth cause of death in Japanese, of which 92% occurs in elderly people aged more than 65 years. Pneumonia in the elderly is mostly due to aspiration. Aspiration is caused by disturbance of the pharyngeal reflex and cough mechanisms are due to disturbances of brain activity. Respiratory diseases including bronchial asthma must be treated with consideration of brain activity.