COPD - tough to handle

Answer 1

My x-rays show my lungs with no room inside my chest cavity I forgot medical term could you tell me ,I was diagnosed with COPD. I smoked for 35 years and was diagnosed 1 year after I quit what's the best way to to do things without this shortness of breath.

Comments

Do you mean Emphysema? Emphysema is common with COPD, but not as what you described "lung with no room inside the chest cavity", so I'm probably wrong. COPD, if you feel out of breath you may start to use oxygen. In a long term, you may do breathing exercises, and physical exercises, both are helpful.

Answer 2

COPD can cause many complications, including:

• Respiratory infections. People with COPD are more likely to catch colds, the flu and pneumonia. Any respiratory infection can make it much more difficult to breathe and could cause further damage to lung tissue. An annual flu vaccination and regular vaccination against pneumococcal pneumonia can prevent some infections.
• Heart problems. For reasons that aren't fully understood, COPD can increase your risk of heart disease, including heart attack. Quitting smoking may reduce this risk.
• Lung cancer. People with COPD have a higher risk of developing lung cancer. Quitting smoking may reduce this risk.
• High blood pressure in lung arteries. COPD may cause high blood pressure in the arteries that bring blood to your lungs (pulmonary hypertension).
• Depression. Difficulty breathing can keep you from doing activities that you enjoy. And dealing with serious illness can contribute to development of depression. Talk to your doctor if you feel sad or helpless or think that you may be experiencing depression.

Answer 3

What brand of inhaler do you use?

Comments

Common brands are:

Advair
Symbicor
combivent respimat
pulmicor
spiriva
proventil
Atrovent
Brovana
Breo elipta