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A family member was diagnosed with Emphyzema. HE is 81 years old. Any suggestions on what quesitons I need to ask the doctor? They are not very forthcoming with infomration, you have to drag it out of them.
He has never smoked btw.
I looked up on the ineternet and all I really found was that I should find out how advanced it is. Are there other things that we need to ask?
A diagnosis of emphysema in a non-smoker of that age would be pretty uncommon. Did he or does he live with a smoker or has he worked in an environment where he was exposed to second hand smoke?
There are causes of emphysema unrelated to smoking, but they are usually diagnosed in people who develop the condition at an earlier age:
Has your family member had the pneumonia vaccine and does he take the flu vaccine?
Either pneumonia or flu could hit him pretty hard, so doing all he can to avoid those would be a good idea.
His doctor may recommend medication to dilate the bronchi and help liquefy secretions, which can help with cough.
Antibiotics and inhaled or oral steroids can help if there is an exacerbation --- worsening of symptoms --- but are not usually recommended for stable disease.
The decision to use oxygen is based on measurements of blood oxygen levels.
Weight control and an exercise plan can make it easier for the lungs to function at their best. Ask about pulmonary rehab.
A diagnosis of emphysema in a non-smoker of that age would be pretty uncommon. Did he or does he live with a smoker or has he worked in an environment where he was exposed to second hand smoke?
There are causes of emphysema unrelated to smoking, but they are usually diagnosed in people who develop the condition at an earlier age:
Has your family member had the pneumonia vaccine and does he take the flu vaccine?
Either pneumonia or flu could hit him pretty hard, so doing all he can to avoid those would be a good idea.
His doctor may recommend medication to dilate the bronchi and help liquefy secretions, which can help with cough.
Antibiotics and inhaled or oral steroids can help if there is an exacerbation --- worsening of symptoms --- but are not usually recommended for stable disease.
The decision to use oxygen is based on measurements of blood oxygen levels.
Weight control and an exercise plan can make it easier for the lungs to function at their best. Ask about pulmonary rehab.
No workplace exposure or any other exposure. He has always avoided places where people smoke. He mostly worked in an office. THe only thing that we cna think of is that he use to spray apple treesand rarely did not wear a mask. HE sprayed DDt, Seldane, Malathiaon, Sevin and various thinners and fungicides. It was not a lot of trees and usually he wore a mask but occaisionally not. They have been doing every test they can tink of it seems. He has been in the hospital for five days with solid tests the whole time.
HE as broncitis right now and he passed out a couple of times which is why he was admitted.
They have been doing breathing treatments and gave him steriods, antibiotics and iv. they think he passed out form a combination of dehydration and oxygen deprivation from the emphezema combined with bronchitis.
They said they think it is "moderate" emphezema. They intend to confirm this, and then send him home wiht Abuterol and advair. they said that exercise is certainly good for him but unlikely to make any difference as far as the emphezema.
Thank you for the information. I guess there is not thing more to ask. The one question they wil not answer "Is this going to kill him?"
No workplace exposure or any other exposure. He has always avoided places where people smoke. He mostly worked in an office. THe only thing that we cna think of is that he use to spray apple treesand rarely did not wear a mask. HE sprayed DDt, Seldane, Malathiaon, Sevin and various thinners and fungicides. It was not a lot of trees and usually he wore a mask but occaisionally not. They have been doing every test they can tink of it seems. He has been in the hospital for five days with solid tests the whole time.
HE as broncitis right now and he passed out a couple of times which is why he was admitted.
They have been doing breathing treatments and gave him steriods, antibiotics and iv. they think he passed out form a combination of dehydration and oxygen deprivation from the emphezema combined with bronchitis.
They said they think it is "moderate" emphezema. They intend to confirm this, and then send him home wiht Abuterol and advair. they said that exercise is certainly good for him but unlikely to make any difference as far as the emphezema.
Thank you for the information. I guess there is not thing more to ask. The one question they wil not answer "Is this going to kill him?"
They will not answer that question because they cannot predict how an given person with emphysema will do. Remember that statistics apply to groups of people, not individuals.
The life insurance people will predict that the average 81 year old male will live a little over seven years. From the link above, sixty to seventy percent of people with moderate emphysema are alive at four years after diagnosis. I do not see a separate figure for non-smokers. For your relative, it also depends on any other health problems he may have, including heart disease.
The benefit of exercise seems to be in helping with the symptoms of the disease. It will not do anything to reverse it or slow the progression.
For your relative, avoiding second hand smoke and air pollution (stay indoors with the AC on if the air is bad) as much as possible is about all he can do. It would be best to avoid inhaling chemical fumes, too, even household things like cleansers. That's a good excuse to get out of those chores!
Did exposure to the agricultural chemicals cause it? There is no way to say for sure. Certainly further exposure should be avoided.
Emphysema is treatable. Keep that in mind and take it day to day. Do not be afraid to ask questions.
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Emphysema is treatable. Keep that in mind and take it day to day. Do not be afraid to ask questions.
My best to you and your relative. Hang in there!
But not curable. The best they can do is keep him from getting worse as long as they can. To be factual, if he doesn't die from something else, he will die from this eventually. I am sorry to be so blunt but sometimes it is better to know what you are facing than to have it sugar-coated.
But not curable. The best they can do is keep him from getting worse as long as they can. To be factual, if he doesn't die from something else, he will die from this eventually. I am sorry to be so blunt but sometimes it is better to know what you are facing than to have it sugar-coated.
How does this help the OP? The same could be said of diabetes or hypertension or any other chronic condition.
And we do not know what other conditions the patient under discussion has.
Doctors specifically do not like to provide a prognosis for emphysema. It varies too much even for people with the same stage.
In order to get the best use of the oxygen he does take in, he should aim for the best possible physical condition he can maintain.
For instance,muscles use less oxygen than fat so more is available for the heart and other organs.
Therefore, the trite sounding, but true, "diet and excercise" is vital in imrpoving daily life and retarding decline.
Exhaling carbon-dioxide is, or becomes, as much as problem as getting oxygen so learning breathing techniques and practicing them is very helpful.
Thank you. This is all very helpful. At 81 I am not sure how much he will be able to benefit from exercise but he is pretty active, so it may help. I had to ask the Dr if it was ok for him to still help Kiwanis unload Christmas tree, mow his 3 acre lawn, cut up branches and trees with a chian saw, etc. Dr. said not a problem. But he also said exercise is not necessary. I think what was said here makes more sense besides his BIL who refused to quite smoking died of emphyzema and it was horrible. Proabably better to tell him that he needs exercise. I do nto want him to give up and just sit around. He is super active delivering meals on wheels, and working with church and various other charities. that is all probably good for him.
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