Emphysema

[Spallalala]

So it seems this year gets worse and worse.
Just got back from the hospital to find out mum has emphysema due to her many years of smoking and not stopping when told to.
I know what is it and what causes it but does anyone know anything else on it. Anyone here ever been with someone thats had this and seen what happens.

Trying to get a headsup on it so I know what to do and what not to when she gets back.

Not after any google info, after anything where people have had some experience with it.

Thanks all.

[ManchestrMorgue]

Sorry to hear that.

Emphysema is a chronic respiratory condition where the alveoli (the small airspaces in the lungs) get destroyed, thereby decreasing the surface area in the lungs where gas transfer (oxygen and carbon dioxide) can occur. The lung tissue loses its "elasticity".

Therefore the person with emphysema can't get oxygen into their blood as easily as someone with undamaged lungs. So they are more easily puffed out with relatively smaller amounts of exercise/exertion. It depends on how severe the damage is as to how severe the symptoms are.

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis together are referred to as COAD or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and often a bit of one goes along with a predominance of the other.

Obviously, respiratory tract infections or anything that stresses the respiratory system is going to have a greater effect on your mum than it would on someone with normal lungs.

Also, the risks for infections of the lungs (eg pneumonia, acute bronchitis) are increased.

Unfortunately, the disease is not reversible.

Continuing to smoke or do other things that are damaging to the lungs can obviously worsen the damage.

Hope this answers some of your questions. Feel free to ask more.

[Zero]

Originally Posted by Spallalala

So it seems this year gets worse and worse.
Just got back from the hospital to find out mum has emphysema due to her many years of smoking and not stopping when told to.
I know what is it and what causes it but does anyone know anything else on it. Anyone here ever been with someone thats had this and seen what happens.

Trying to get a headsup on it so I know what to do and what not to when she gets back.

Not after any google info, after anything where people have had some experience with it.

Thanks all.

so sorry to hear this - - my mom was diagnosed with it (though oddly she never smoked) and has been on some drugs (some kind of steriod i think) and has maintained her lung capacity fairly well. . . hope it all works out.

oh - how is your health after the accident??

[meetthecreeper]

Grandfather had it severely. He lived well into his 80s. He passed away over 10 years ago. I can only assume that medical advances have come along way since then so with the proper medications and treatment I am sure that she can live a long full life.