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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
emphisema life expectancy
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis
emphisema life expectancy
by laubz83, Jul 16, 2006 12:00AM
My girlfriend has recently told me that she's been suffering w/emphisema since she was 21. She has been in a hospital for 3 months and then got home treatment at the age of 22.She's now 29 and recently she has these terrible headaches. Could that be the sign of her conditon worsening.She is quite lively, doesn't show too many signs of phisical strain. Can she lead a long normal life with her condition ? Thanks :-)
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Jul 26, 2006 12:00AM
, Jul 26, 2006 12:00AM
Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that is also called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The majority of these cases are linked with cigarette smoking. A small number of these cases are linked with significant exposure to work-related dust, such as coal, grain, or wood.
An even smaller number of cases of COPD are linked with a genetic based alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. Not having enough of this major protein in the blood can lead to severe emphysema even in people who have never smoked. AAT deficiency is determined by two blood tests. One test measures the amount of alpha-1 antitrypsin and the other determines the phenotype or genetic pattern. Families with multiple members who develop severe emphysema early in life or in non-smokers should be tested for this deficiency.
Since the problem was discovered when your girlfriend was 21 years old, cystic fibrosis (CF) is another possibility. This is a genetic disease of the exocrine glands affecting the lungs and the digestive system. It causes sweat electrolytes, like sodium and chloride, to be high at birth. The small airways can be blocked by thick mucus. Symptoms of the problem are usually seen in infancy or childhood. Occasionally it isn’t noticed until the person is 30 or 40 years old. It occurs with a wide range of severity. The minority of people with very mild forms may live into their 50's and 60's. CF is determined by a "sweat test" and also by genetic testing.
The first step is to be sure of your girlfriend’s health problem. It is possible for low oxygen levels in the blood to cause headaches. If her oxygen level is all right, then it is unlikely that her headaches are related to her lung disease. Then the second step would be to have a thorough exam of her headaches by a neurologist.
An even smaller number of cases of COPD are linked with a genetic based alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. Not having enough of this major protein in the blood can lead to severe emphysema even in people who have never smoked. AAT deficiency is determined by two blood tests. One test measures the amount of alpha-1 antitrypsin and the other determines the phenotype or genetic pattern. Families with multiple members who develop severe emphysema early in life or in non-smokers should be tested for this deficiency.
Since the problem was discovered when your girlfriend was 21 years old, cystic fibrosis (CF) is another possibility. This is a genetic disease of the exocrine glands affecting the lungs and the digestive system. It causes sweat electrolytes, like sodium and chloride, to be high at birth. The small airways can be blocked by thick mucus. Symptoms of the problem are usually seen in infancy or childhood. Occasionally it isn’t noticed until the person is 30 or 40 years old. It occurs with a wide range of severity. The minority of people with very mild forms may live into their 50's and 60's. CF is determined by a "sweat test" and also by genetic testing.
The first step is to be sure of your girlfriend’s health problem. It is possible for low oxygen levels in the blood to cause headaches. If her oxygen level is all right, then it is unlikely that her headaches are related to her lung disease. Then the second step would be to have a thorough exam of her headaches by a neurologist.
Member Comments (1)
by roberto2008, Apr 22, 2008 06:06AM
A related discussion, Flying was started.
by swamps1000, May 08, 2008 10:07AM
A related discussion, prognosis for emphysema was started.
