thank you so much with your indepth answers to all my questions. i read it and reread it and it answered my questions and was very helpful and educating me further on the subject and my concerns. so you don't think that i look like i have copd ? especially emphyshima? also the reason i was asking about the heart related shortness of breath is because i'm a very worrisome person with tons of stress and smoke so much for so many years . perhaps i developed heart problems causing the sensation of lack of air ? and also this is what part of the report read
"the diffusing capacity is normal. however, the diffusing capacity was not corrected for the patients hemoglobin. "
doesnt hemoglobin refer to blood and if so wouldnt lack of hemoglobin in blood possibly indicate poor heart function ?
thank you again
I am not a doctor, but have persistant severe asthma. I have done significant research on the subject and read a lot about COPD.
1) Chronic bronchitis is a form of COPD. "Reactive airway disease" is a catch all category for diseases like asthma, COPD and a few others where the patient reacts irritants or allergens with adversely. The final few words of your post is a diagnosis of mild asthma.
2) According to the last line of your post - you have asthma, a reactive airway disease.
3) Peak flows are very individual. Population norms have been established, but where you fall in relation to the norm you would have to ask your doctor. Most people are either above or below the norm. I am a 5'8" 44 year old female with a high peak flow of 590. My norm for gender and age is about 530. I am significantly above the norm. If you continue seeing a doctor for this, you will learn what your norm is.
4 & 5) Again, your diagnosis is asthma, which is way better than COPD. COPD is non-reversible but can be maintained if the patient takes care of themselves. Asthma is characterized by reversible lung function. Emphasema is a form of COPD. All forms of COPD are irreversible.
6) Many people develop asthma as adults. I was first diagnosed at 34. It can develop after viral infections or from uncontrolled allergies as well as occupational irritants.
7) The cats can trigger attacks and you are probably allergic to them. I would recommend that you take antihistamines when you are going to be at her house. Sinus rinses can also help to control your symptoms.
8) It can get worse as you age. The better you take care of yourself now, the less likely that is to happen. I recommend that you stop smoking NOW! Smoking will worsen your asthma. It can also lead to all forms of COPD. So, just because you don't have COPD now, doesn't mean you won't have a form of it in the future.
9) Asthma will not go away if you quit smoking, but your symptoms will improve and be less frequent.
10) First, this is not the actual spirometry report. This is an interpretation of your spirometry. It says that your FEV1 is slightly low, but that could be normal for you. FEV1 is a measure of how well your small airways are functioning. Since your lung capacities are within normal limits, you really shouldn't worry about this. Bronchodilaters increase your test results which is what gave you the asthma diagnosis instead of COPD.
11) Spirometry does not say anything about heart function. It would be impossible to make any conclusion about that, but I seriously doubt that you have an issue there at your age.
Now that I think I have answered all your questions, I will answer a few you didn't ask out right. It seems that you were a little concerned about your doctor not prescribing you any medications. You should request a rescue inhaler. People with even very mild asthma as you seem to have, can have serious attacks which can be fatal. Anyone with an asthma diagnosis MUST have a rescue inhaler to carry on them AT ALL TIMES. As far as other meds for it, they really aren't necessary for you. People who have symptoms more than twice a week require more agressive treatment, but your are fine for now.
That just about covers everything.
If you have more questions, feel free to ask.
Feelt better and take care of yourself. For your future health, stop smoking and encourage those around you to quit also.