Question 1

how does emphysema reduce the amount of oxygen which diffuses into the blood?

Accepted Answer

See below: In emphysema, the alveoli are destroyed and that is the place where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is supposed to occur. Malfunctioning alveoli prevent this exchange by not allowing the red blood cels to have contact with the air we breathe so the gas exchange may take place.

Question 2

my dlco was only 39% on my recent spirometry. an oximeter is of little value in monitoring my emphysema/scarring of lungs, it will show blood sats that would be good for me such as 94. how can i manage this at home? is my oxygen generator any help?

Accepted Answer

: DLCO of 39% only means you have moderate to severe emphysema which impairs the oxygen exchange at the alveolar level but it doesn't indicate the need of oxygen supplement. As long as you are asymptomatic with 94% O2  then you don't need O2. However, if you've dyspnea then an arterial blood gas should be done to correlate arterial O2 and O2 saturation. Pulse ox could be wrong in dark skin people.

Question 3

copd breathlessness gets real bad. i do symbicourt, incruse and a nebulizer with no relief. blood oxygen is in a he 90's. what more can i do or take. ?

Accepted Answer

Discuss: This may be moderate to severe obstructive lung disease or an acute exacerbation if the underlying disease is more mild (maybe due to infection).  See the treating physician for an urgent follow up as add-on therapy may be needed (or go to ER, follow your instinct).  Overall, pulmonary rehabilitation training may have the most positive effect long-term.

Question 4

my mom is being hospitalized for pneumonia and a possible blood clot or copd i'm very worried could it be deadly her oxygen and blood pressure is low?

Accepted Answer

Unanswerable: There are just too many unknowns here. I am very sorry to hear of your mother's troubles, but it sounds like she is in the right place and getting the right attention.  In these scary scenarios this kind of answer must come from the medical team working with her in person.

Question 5

hi my mother has copd and failure of the right side of the heart and blood clots she is on oxygen and it doesn't seem to help with shortness of breath how bad is this condition and how can i help what medication will help?

Accepted Answer

: Fluids to avoid dehydration as per her physicians. Avoidance of DVTs, blood thinners as indicated per her M.D. HRCT thorax recommended

Question 6

my current blood oxygen level is between 76-89...is it normal? (20yr old male with copd)
normally my o2 use to always rest at 94 max.

papillomas in airway
restricted airways roughly size due to so many surgeries
 sleep apnea
 asthma
 copd?

Accepted Answer

Oxygenation:  I can't speak to your individual case but blood oxygen levels of 76 to 89 are low - not normal.

Question 7

is it true that people with emphysema shouldn't breathe 100% oxygen?

Accepted Answer

Yes and No: Patients with emphysema are at some risk for developing high carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnea) if given high doses of oxygen.  The oxygen will displace the carbon dioxide off of the red blood cell resulting in higher blood levels (haldane effect).  However, hypoxia (low oxygen) is more likely to kill a patient than hypercapnea (high co2) so using high dose oxygen may be needed.

Question 8

if you're suffering from emphysema, how does taking oxygen affect the body system?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen: If emphysema is severe enough to require oxygen supplementation, using oxygen may lead to less shortness of breath and increased energy levels.

Question 9

could you exercise on oxygen if you have emphysema and your o2 sat dip to low 90's?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Exercise is very beneficial to patients with copd/emphysema.  Exercising can be done on oxygen as long as your oxygen saturations are greater than 88 percent.

Question 10

a person with emphysema often needs to be given supplemental oxygen, but why is it important?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen: At sea level the atmosphere has 21% oxygen.  At higher elevations this can be less.  Of that we breath it into our body and the oxygen gets replaced in our blood from carbon dioxide we breath out. So in patients with underlying heart or lung problems, in order to make sure they get enough (as measured by oxygen level at a fingertip), we need to give them higher % of inspired oxygen through machine.

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Doctor answers about:

How does emphysema reduce the amount of oxygen which diffuses into the blood

A member asked:

How does emphysema reduce the amount of oxygen which diffuses into the blood?

A member asked:

My dlco was only 39% on my recent spirometry. an oximeter is of little value in monitoring my emphysema/scarring of lungs, it will show blood sats that would be good for me such as 94. how can i manage this at home? is my oxygen generator any help?

A member asked:

Copd breathlessness gets real bad. i do symbicourt, incruse and a nebulizer with no relief. blood oxygen is in a he 90's. what more can i do or take. ?

A member asked:

My mom is being hospitalized for pneumonia and a possible blood clot or copd i'm very worried could it be deadly her oxygen and blood pressure is low?

A member asked:

Hi my mother has copd and failure of the right side of the heart and blood clots she is on oxygen and it doesn't seem to help with shortness of breath how bad is this condition and how can i help what medication will help?

A member asked:

My current blood oxygen level is between 76-89...is it normal? (20yr old male with copd) normally my o2 use to always rest at 94 max. papillomas in airway restricted airways roughly size due to so many surgeries sleep apnea asthma copd?

A member asked:

Is it true that people with emphysema shouldn't breathe 100% oxygen?

A member asked:

If you're suffering from emphysema, how does taking oxygen affect the body system?

A member asked:

Could you exercise on oxygen if you have emphysema and your o2 sat dip to low 90's?

A member asked:

A person with emphysema often needs to be given supplemental oxygen, but why is it important?

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