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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
emphsymia
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.
emphsymia
by fangio, Sep 10, 2005 12:00AM
after 50 yrs of smoking i gave up. every thing was fine till i started getting out of breath. after an x-ray i was told i had emysemia, i was given 2 inhalers to use, salomol inhaler and qvar autohaler. i have found that after a year of using these i have found no difference what so ever. i have started riding a bike every where with in a 5 mile radius of my home. is there any thing i can do to help my breathlessness?.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Sep 18, 2005 12:00AM
, Sep 18, 2005 12:00AM
The best things you can do to help your breathlessness are:
1) aerobic exercise, like your bike riding;
2) muscle strengthening exercises;
3) no longer smoking cigarettes; and
4) avoiding air pollutants.
I assume the "salomol" inhaler is Serevent® (salmeterol). This and the Qvar™ Inhaler (beclomethasone dipropionate HFA) are good for emphysema. These are both long-acting medicines. Qvar is an inhaled steroid that works on inflammation. However there is no difference in your feeling of breathlessness from taking this. The "salomol" is an inhaled long-acting bronchodilator that works on tightness. However its effect on breathlessness is usually not very dramatic. Spiriva® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) is another long-acting medicine. It’s been effective in decreasing breathlessness. You might want to ask your doctor about trying this, along with what you are now taking.
An x-ray can suggest the diagnosis of emphysema. However the best way to diagnosis emphysema is with pulmonary function testing. In addition, this testing will also measure the severity of emphysema and the help from medicine.
1) aerobic exercise, like your bike riding;
2) muscle strengthening exercises;
3) no longer smoking cigarettes; and
4) avoiding air pollutants.
I assume the "salomol" inhaler is Serevent® (salmeterol). This and the Qvar™ Inhaler (beclomethasone dipropionate HFA) are good for emphysema. These are both long-acting medicines. Qvar is an inhaled steroid that works on inflammation. However there is no difference in your feeling of breathlessness from taking this. The "salomol" is an inhaled long-acting bronchodilator that works on tightness. However its effect on breathlessness is usually not very dramatic. Spiriva® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) is another long-acting medicine. It’s been effective in decreasing breathlessness. You might want to ask your doctor about trying this, along with what you are now taking.
An x-ray can suggest the diagnosis of emphysema. However the best way to diagnosis emphysema is with pulmonary function testing. In addition, this testing will also measure the severity of emphysema and the help from medicine.
Member Comments (2)
by EROS, Sep 12, 2005 12:00AM
Try Pursed Lip Breathing (Google It) or look at www.emphysema.net
by Deckers1, Mar 22, 2009 10:07PM
A related discussion, Exactly what means would one try to actually CURE Emphsymia, not just treat it ? was started.
