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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (Expert Forum)
Why hasn't my question been answered?
Answered by
MN
This forum is for questions and support regarding COPD, coughing/wheezing, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung infections, pollution, smoking, treatment for COPD, and what causes COPD.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Apr 16, 2008 05:12PM
, Apr 16, 2008 05:12PM
The information you've provided suggests serious sinus disease and a significantly deviated nasal septum. Surgery for both should help.
Positive skin tests can confirm suspicions about specific allergens but one can have positive tests, but no resulting medical problems from the allergy.
The spirometry should be repeated, before and after using a bronchodilator, once you have recovered from the sinus/nasal surgery.
If you prove to have COPD, as suggested by the "awful results" it would be primarily secondary to smoking, with possibly an asthma component from the chronic exposure to so many allergens on the farm. Be it COPD or asthma, it is highly likely that your breathing will improve with the prescription of a number of respiratory drugs, including bronchodilators and probably also an inhaled steroids. If you combine this with smoking cessation and a markedly reduced exposure to the substances found on the farm, to which you are allergic, you may experience a significant improvement in your breathing and this may be accompanied by a reduction in your lung age. If your financial situation demands that you continue to work on the farm, ask your doctor to prescribe an effective mask, to be worn all the time when you are outdoors. There are many types of masks and respirators and your doctor may want to contact a physician or industrial hygienist in the department of Occupational Medicine at the nearest academic medical center. If none is nearby, he should call the Environmental Medicine Division at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center, in Denver.
Another option would be for your doctor to refer you to National Jewish for a complete Environmental Medicine evaluation.
Positive skin tests can confirm suspicions about specific allergens but one can have positive tests, but no resulting medical problems from the allergy.
The spirometry should be repeated, before and after using a bronchodilator, once you have recovered from the sinus/nasal surgery.
If you prove to have COPD, as suggested by the "awful results" it would be primarily secondary to smoking, with possibly an asthma component from the chronic exposure to so many allergens on the farm. Be it COPD or asthma, it is highly likely that your breathing will improve with the prescription of a number of respiratory drugs, including bronchodilators and probably also an inhaled steroids. If you combine this with smoking cessation and a markedly reduced exposure to the substances found on the farm, to which you are allergic, you may experience a significant improvement in your breathing and this may be accompanied by a reduction in your lung age. If your financial situation demands that you continue to work on the farm, ask your doctor to prescribe an effective mask, to be worn all the time when you are outdoors. There are many types of masks and respirators and your doctor may want to contact a physician or industrial hygienist in the department of Occupational Medicine at the nearest academic medical center. If none is nearby, he should call the Environmental Medicine Division at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center, in Denver.
Another option would be for your doctor to refer you to National Jewish for a complete Environmental Medicine evaluation.
