Question 1

i think i have emphysema as i cant breath and need to know if i must go to hospital?

Accepted Answer

Can't breath: If you are having acute difficulty breathing - recommend immediate medical attention. If this is more of a chronic problem with relatively less difficulty breathing, it is not likely as urgent.

Question 2

could his cough and shortness of breath and raspyness possibly be emphysema?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Emphysema can present with all of these symptoms.  To start to make the diagnosis one needs a chest xray and pulmonary function tests.

Question 3

if i have to take lorazepan for lots of coughing and shortness of breath, could it be emphysema?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: The reasons for coughing and shortness of breath are many and to tell what the reason is in you requires examination and testing. You need a doctor to ask you questions, examine you, order appropriate tests, and then put all that together. Do you smoke? Do you have a fever? Are you more short of breath when you lie down? Answers to such questions can be very helpful.

Question 4

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 5

does shortness of breath mean possible emphysema?

Accepted Answer

It could: The most common cause of shortness of breath is asthma or other causes of wheezing, or chronic obstructive lung disease in smokers. Simple poor conditioning, obesity, heart disease and othe r lung diseases need to b considered.

Question 6

when drs listen to u breath can they tell if you have copd or emphysema ?

Accepted Answer

Auscultation: When a patient has obstructive airways disease, the expiratory phase of respiration is increased compared to inspiration. There often are additional sounds which can indicate airway obstruction. When added to other physical findings, these can suggest COPD or emphysema.

Question 7

i have mild emphysema without treatment do you know how fast it can progress i don't have insurance but i do seem to get out of breath really easy?

Accepted Answer

Not just mild: If you only have mild emphysema you should not get out of breath easily At your age, unless you are very obese you should have a lot of breathing reserve. Causes for your breathing are accompanying other lung disease (asthma, thickening in the lung)  or a heart problem. Stay away from places and from activities where you get short of breath. Find a MD or clinic that will work with your budget.

Question 8

can emphysema cause palpations or chest spasms?  my oxygen levels are consistently high and oxygen or steroids don't help my breathing problems. i feel every breath?

Accepted Answer

: Yes, any chronic lung condition can strain the heart in the long run and irregular heart beats become common. Talk to your doc about your symptoms and observations with regard to treatments tried.

Question 9

my mum has emphysema, is 66, can't walk far, stopped smoking 5 years ago and very short of breath.  could she have a lung transplant to save her life?

Accepted Answer

Maybe.: Too complicated a question to answer here.  Lung surgery is sometimes done for copd.  Lung volume reduction surgery and lung transplant. Neither of these is taken lightly and there are very specific criteria that are generally met before even considering these options. They are not magic cures.

Question 10

i have stage 2 emphysema and 4 lung nodules on a ct scan (3mm and smaller) shadow xray and ct scan. shortness breath, chest pain, night sweats?

Accepted Answer

Mgt/workup: Your findings are of concern, and an exam documenting any lymphadenopathy is important. I would suggest seeing your  PCP. Your symptoms may also be due to TB, cardiac disease, pulmonary embolism.
A virtual online appt is available for follow up and to review your HRCT.
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Doctor answers about:

I have emphysema how hard will it be to be able to breathe

A member asked:

I think i have emphysema as i cant breath and need to know if i must go to hospital?

A member asked:

Could his cough and shortness of breath and raspyness possibly be emphysema?

A member asked:

If i have to take lorazepan for lots of coughing and shortness of breath, could it be emphysema?

A member asked:

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

A member asked:

Does shortness of breath mean possible emphysema?

A member asked:

When drs listen to u breath can they tell if you have copd or emphysema ?

A member asked:

I have mild emphysema without treatment do you know how fast it can progress i don't have insurance but i do seem to get out of breath really easy?

A member asked:

Can emphysema cause palpations or chest spasms? my oxygen levels are consistently high and oxygen or steroids don't help my breathing problems. i feel every breath?

A member asked:

My mum has emphysema, is 66, can't walk far, stopped smoking 5 years ago and very short of breath. could she have a lung transplant to save her life?

A member asked:

I have stage 2 emphysema and 4 lung nodules on a ct scan (3mm and smaller) shadow xray and ct scan. shortness breath, chest pain, night sweats?

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