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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Lung Cancer/COPD
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.
Lung Cancer/COPD
by Bregirl, Nov 06, 2006 12:00AM
My Father-In-Law was diagnosed with COPD 4 years ago, The doctor gave him one inhaler to use as need no more than 4 times a day. So he has been using it everyday for 4 times a day until last January and he told the doctor (this is a Family Doctor and not a specialist) he had a Nepualizer and the doctor told him he could use it up to 4 times a day to. So he is taking his inhaler 4 or more times a day and the nepualizer 2 times a day and is still saying he cant breath (we have been fussing about this because we think that he is taking to much of the one med.). The doctor has never checked to see if the COPD has progressed or not. So I am taking him to Lung Specialist (not happy with his family doctor) what test should be done and what questions should I ask? He has also lost about 70lbs in the last year and has a bad cough and is congested & his nose runs all the time. He is always saying he can't eat. They did a CT scan and didn't find anything wrong with his stomach, but did see a spot on his lungs that he assumes it the COPD (he hasn't seen his family doctor yet). He was just diagnosed with Prostrate Cancer two weeks ago, it is at the beginning stage T1. They did a bone scan and found a spot on his spin. Could he have lung cancer?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Nov 17, 2006 12:00AM
, Nov 17, 2006 12:00AM
Like cancer, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can cause weight loss. Losing 70 pounds in one year is a lot. This is more than would usually be seen with COPD alone. You should ask your father-in-law’s doctors if the "spot on his spine" is due to the spread of cancer from his prostate. Also blood tests can be done for the prostate cancer.
Your choice to take your father-in-law to a lung specialist is wise. Ask this specialist about a long-acting inhaled bronchodilator that would last up to 12 hours. Also testing should be done to see if your father-in-law needs to be on oxygen. This specialist should be able to answer your questions about his disease and the weight loss. Please read our COPD information at http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/diseases/copd/index.aspx to learn more.
Unplanned weight loss is common in people with COPD because the effort of breathing takes extra energy. Feeling full crowds the diaphragm and makes breathing more difficult. Breathe evenly while chewing and eating. Stop eating if you need to catch your breath. Relax at mealtime. Breathing difficulty can make eating hard work. This is a frustrating cycle. Maintaining a healthy weight is vital for you to keep your ability to fight infections and to keep your muscles strong. Here are some ways to reverse unplanned weight loss.
1) Eat several small meals and snacks throughout the day instead of three big meals. Smaller more frequent meals are recommended since a full stomach crowds the diaphragm causing increased discomfort and shortness of breath. Your father-in-law can satisfy his nutritional needs, keep his stomach comfortable and help his diaphragm to work better by eating smaller, more frequent meals earlier in the day before the pain starts.
2) Use “calorie boosters” such as fats and oils as a way to boost your father-in-law’s calorie intake. Suggested calorie boosters are: butter/margarine, cream cheese, dried fruit, dry milk powder, granola, honey/sugar, peanut butter/nuts, vegetable oils. This allows him to eat more calories with the same amount of food.
3) Choose high calorie drinks to improve your father-in-law’s calorie intake. Water, tea and coffee fill him up without giving him the extra calories he needs to stop weight loss or improve weight gain. Non-alcoholic and decaffeinated drinks, high in calories such as juice, milk and nutrition supplements are good choices.
4) Ask your father-in-law’s doctor or registered dietitian about nutritional supplements and snacks. They can help you choose foods wisely to get the most out of his meals and snacks. A loss of appetite or feeling tired can also cause him to eat less than normal at his meals. Supplements and snacks are often vital to replace those calories he missed.
Your choice to take your father-in-law to a lung specialist is wise. Ask this specialist about a long-acting inhaled bronchodilator that would last up to 12 hours. Also testing should be done to see if your father-in-law needs to be on oxygen. This specialist should be able to answer your questions about his disease and the weight loss. Please read our COPD information at http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/diseases/copd/index.aspx to learn more.
Unplanned weight loss is common in people with COPD because the effort of breathing takes extra energy. Feeling full crowds the diaphragm and makes breathing more difficult. Breathe evenly while chewing and eating. Stop eating if you need to catch your breath. Relax at mealtime. Breathing difficulty can make eating hard work. This is a frustrating cycle. Maintaining a healthy weight is vital for you to keep your ability to fight infections and to keep your muscles strong. Here are some ways to reverse unplanned weight loss.
1) Eat several small meals and snacks throughout the day instead of three big meals. Smaller more frequent meals are recommended since a full stomach crowds the diaphragm causing increased discomfort and shortness of breath. Your father-in-law can satisfy his nutritional needs, keep his stomach comfortable and help his diaphragm to work better by eating smaller, more frequent meals earlier in the day before the pain starts.
2) Use “calorie boosters” such as fats and oils as a way to boost your father-in-law’s calorie intake. Suggested calorie boosters are: butter/margarine, cream cheese, dried fruit, dry milk powder, granola, honey/sugar, peanut butter/nuts, vegetable oils. This allows him to eat more calories with the same amount of food.
3) Choose high calorie drinks to improve your father-in-law’s calorie intake. Water, tea and coffee fill him up without giving him the extra calories he needs to stop weight loss or improve weight gain. Non-alcoholic and decaffeinated drinks, high in calories such as juice, milk and nutrition supplements are good choices.
4) Ask your father-in-law’s doctor or registered dietitian about nutritional supplements and snacks. They can help you choose foods wisely to get the most out of his meals and snacks. A loss of appetite or feeling tired can also cause him to eat less than normal at his meals. Supplements and snacks are often vital to replace those calories he missed.
