Question 1

what is the best technique to remove liquid from the lungs in an elderly?

Accepted Answer

Liquid IN: Lungs would be pneumonia, but fluid around lungs is called effusion. It can be benign (not cancer) or malignant. The former, treat the renal or heart failure etc; the latter, drain it it pleurodesce: make the lung stick to chest wall to prevent recurrence.

Question 2

elderly relative with breathing difficulties.  do lungs get tighter or smaller as people age?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The lungs do get "smaller" with age and lose some of their elastic recoil (ability to deflate with exhalation) but age alone should not result in breathing difficulties.  It would be advisable to determine smoking history, other medical problems and evaluate with chest xray, breathing tests  oxygen level and work to regain their breathing capacity when cause is determined.

Question 3

what are the statistics on hip surgery on an elderly person at 74 years old that only uses 29% of her lungs?

Accepted Answer

Great question: You should be seen in the pre-operative clinic by an anesthesiology consultant to assess your surgical risk and see what interventions can be made to reduce them. This will provide you the best and safest plan for surgery moving forward. Good luck.

Question 4

what are some foods and natural vitamins to strengthen heart and lungs of elderly patients?

Accepted Answer

Fruits and veggies: Green vegetables and fruits are rich in antioxidants and are good for the heart and blood pressure. Omega 3 fish oil is good for the heart as well. Adequate amounts of b vitamins improve energy levels.

Question 5

is it unusual for elderly patients to completely lose their appetite after lung cancer surgery?

Accepted Answer

No: Surgery may temporarily cause anorexia as the body uses all resources to heal.  This may cut appetite.  The key is to fine foods that the patient really likes.  In extreme cases your doctor can prescribe medication to boost appetite.  Adequate nutrition is key for complete healing after surgery.

Question 6

if an elderly person breaks a hip then develops a blood clot in the lungs, how would a blood thinner save his life?

Accepted Answer

2nd clot: If that person lives long enough to start a blood thinner (ie, they don't immediately die with the first blood clot), the issue becomes preventing a second, fatal clot. That's where treatment with blood thinners are important: preventing the second, fatal clot. Moreover, the first clot will gradually dissolve on blood thinners over time.

Question 7

i am guessing that if an elderly person (not me) has copd & a pleural effusion (even if the person doesn't have a lung infection) then this would make it harder to survive sepsis.  but  if so, would either be likely to make a significant difference?

Accepted Answer

COPD is diagnosis.: The pleural effusion is a SIGN or a symptom, not a "condition". In fact, by draining the effusion, doctors can run tests &amp; perhaps figure out what is causing the problem. But it doesn't portend anything with regards to survival unless it becomes large. COPD is a DIAGNOSIS. It means that the lungs don't function properly. It makes surviving sepsis tougher, as lung problems can easily develop. TTYD.

Question 8

elderly male going bald on chest and underarms.  reason?

Accepted Answer

Need evaluation: Low testosterone in older men can cause a decreased amount of body hair.   I would suggest an in-office physical exam to see the extent and pattern of this hair loss to explore other causes as well.

Question 9

boosted elderly tested positive for covid. today is day 8 and she still has same symptoms, incl cough & upper middle chest pain since day 1. oximeter is around 95. do we have to go to the hospital or continue treating at home?

Accepted Answer

: Your pulse oximeter reading is adequate, and sounds like she is starting to heal, BUT if cough remains intense and chest pain is unchanged or worse, would obtain Chest X-ray to exclude pneumonia.  Likely, even if there is such a complication, could be treated as an outpatient, but be sure to communicate closely with your doctor.

Question 10

please help, how much is 1000cc of fluid on the lungs?

Accepted Answer

About 4 cups...: 1000 cc of fluid is the same as 1000 ml.  If you convert ml to us cups (like a measuring cup used in the kitchen for cooking), then this volume of fluid is a little more than 4 cups.  It's about the same as a quart of milk one could buy in a supermarket.  

Hope that this helps.

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Doctor answers about:

Fluid on the lungs in the elderly

A member asked:

What is the best technique to remove liquid from the lungs in an elderly?

A member asked:

Elderly relative with breathing difficulties. do lungs get tighter or smaller as people age?

A member asked:

What are the statistics on hip surgery on an elderly person at 74 years old that only uses 29% of her lungs?

A member asked:

What are some foods and natural vitamins to strengthen heart and lungs of elderly patients?

A member asked:

Is it unusual for elderly patients to completely lose their appetite after lung cancer surgery?

A member asked:

If an elderly person breaks a hip then develops a blood clot in the lungs, how would a blood thinner save his life?

A member asked:

I am guessing that if an elderly person (not me) has copd & a pleural effusion (even if the person doesn't have a lung infection) then this would make it harder to survive sepsis. but if so, would either be likely to make a significant difference?

A member asked:

Elderly male going bald on chest and underarms. reason?

A member asked:

Boosted elderly tested positive for covid. today is day 8 and she still has same symptoms, incl cough & upper middle chest pain since day 1. oximeter is around 95. do we have to go to the hospital or continue treating at home?

A member asked:

Please help, how much is 1000cc of fluid on the lungs?

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