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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
c.o.p.d.
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.
c.o.p.d.
by Bud0001, Nov 10, 2006 12:00AM
Several years ago, I was diagnosed with C.O.P.D. Of course this was due to 42 years of non stop smoking. I have been put on many different type of medication, in cluding the use of a nebulizer and hand held inhalers. When I have my periodic checkups at the V.A. Hospital, the always take x-rays. The last time the xrays were read, they said my lungs looked clear. And yet, I feel as though I am getting worse. I have developed a horrible broncial cough. The cough being so bad at times my chest hurts real bad. I have trouble walking to our curb side mail box, and back. When I go into a store like Wal-Mart, I must use an electric cart, otherwise I can not walk the floors. I am also bring up spudem, sometimes clear, sometime a dark yellow. I know that C.O.P.D. effects a patient in four stages. Would my description of my condition lead you to beleive that I am in stage three or stage four? I do have an upcoming appointment with my Pulmonary Doctors come the day after Chrismas. Am I in line for an unwanted present?
Thank you for your input.
Thank you for your input.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Nov 29, 2006 12:00AM
, Nov 29, 2006 12:00AM
When your chest x-ray is read as "lungs looked clear", that means that there is no sign of infection or cancer. All that is seen are the findings of COPD.
Each stage of emphysema is based on symptoms and measured loss of pulmonary function, especially the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1). The FEV1 is the amount of air that can be forcefully expelled in the first second of exhalation. It is an indicator of airway obstruction and how far the COPD has progressed. Normal is 80% or greater of the predicted value. The predicted value for a given individual is based on age, gender, height, and race or ethnicity. From your description your condition does sound severe. However you’ll need to know your FEV1 to know what stage you are in. Here are the FEV1 ranges for each stage of COPD:
At risk Stage 0 Normal pulmonary function
Mild Stage I Mild reduction in air flow
Moderate Stage II FEV1 50 to 80% of predicted
Severe Stage III FEV1 30 to 50% of predicted
Very Severe Stage IV FEV1 less than 30% of predicted
If you are still smoking, you must make every effort to stop, immediately. You should be taking a long-acting inhaled bronchodilator and an inhaled steroid. Ask the lung specialist if you might also benefit from supplemental oxygen.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program to maintain or bring back your quality of life through aerobic exercise done on a regular basis. When done routinely, this conditions the entire body so that the muscles are working as efficiently as possible. This allows the breathing muscles to use the least amount of energy to move air in and out of the lungs. Over time this helps to lessen shortness of breath. Some programs will also include education about your lung condition and nutrition. Please read our pulmonary rehabilitation information at http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/diseases/copd/mgmt/pulm-rehab/index.aspx to learn more. Share this information with your doctor to see if this would be helpful and where in your area there are programs.
Each stage of emphysema is based on symptoms and measured loss of pulmonary function, especially the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1). The FEV1 is the amount of air that can be forcefully expelled in the first second of exhalation. It is an indicator of airway obstruction and how far the COPD has progressed. Normal is 80% or greater of the predicted value. The predicted value for a given individual is based on age, gender, height, and race or ethnicity. From your description your condition does sound severe. However you’ll need to know your FEV1 to know what stage you are in. Here are the FEV1 ranges for each stage of COPD:
At risk Stage 0 Normal pulmonary function
Mild Stage I Mild reduction in air flow
Moderate Stage II FEV1 50 to 80% of predicted
Severe Stage III FEV1 30 to 50% of predicted
Very Severe Stage IV FEV1 less than 30% of predicted
If you are still smoking, you must make every effort to stop, immediately. You should be taking a long-acting inhaled bronchodilator and an inhaled steroid. Ask the lung specialist if you might also benefit from supplemental oxygen.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program to maintain or bring back your quality of life through aerobic exercise done on a regular basis. When done routinely, this conditions the entire body so that the muscles are working as efficiently as possible. This allows the breathing muscles to use the least amount of energy to move air in and out of the lungs. Over time this helps to lessen shortness of breath. Some programs will also include education about your lung condition and nutrition. Please read our pulmonary rehabilitation information at http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/diseases/copd/mgmt/pulm-rehab/index.aspx to learn more. Share this information with your doctor to see if this would be helpful and where in your area there are programs.
How were you diagnosed with copd? Were you give a pft? And have you had one lately? If not I definetly would ask for one and would see a pulmonologist, for the best treatment and you should probably be doing rehab.