emphysema???

Question

my dad was just diagnosed with emphysema and they are talking about putting a hole in his throat....why do they do this oppose to giving him an oxygen tank? i thought they put the hole in your throat when you have throat cancer or something of that nature

Answer 1

My mother is in the hospital for COPD/Emphysema and has a trach. I've learned so much in the past 2 mos so first i sympathize and second sorry that your dad has to have a trach. My mother was on oxygen for 6 yrs until she collapsed about 2 mos ago from not breathing in or out enough oxygen. Most likely your dad's oxygen levels are severe that they need to trach him. It sounds like he should have been on oxygen at home 24/7. You should consult with his doctor and ask about his oxygen levels, like what percentage is he breathing in and out. I was fearful of my mom getting a trach but it was described to me that its a faster way to send air to the lungs without much stress to the heart and other functioning organs. Hope it helps and if you read my question I sent earlier you know I do understand your concerns.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Both of my in-laws had Emphysema and I know many elderly folks with it as well. None of them had a hole put in thier throats. My In-laws had to do "breathing treatments" on a regular schedule at home and they both had oxygen. They definitely slept with the oxygen all night and had to use it many times during the day as well. I realize new medical techniques are coming about everyday, but no, I've never heard of what your describing for Emphysema. This is just from my own personal experiences though. I am no doctor.

Answer 3

Are they doing a tracheotomy, or putting in a catheter for trans tracheal oxygen (TTO)? If it is for TTO, it is different, smaller opening made to deliver oxygen straight into the trachea. Here's a website on TTO:
http://www.emphysema.net/tto.htm

Answer 4

Does he have a throat cancer?