this was a while ago and she has since given up smoking, she had to go for another spirometry test yesterday and she was pleased that it appeared normal, how is this because emphysema is not reversable and if it is reading normal then how can she still have it. She only gave up smoking 18 days ago so surely things will just carry on to improve wont they?
2007-02-27 20:21:52 · 4 answers · asked by jo 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
Emphysema is a life-long condition,it can flare up at anytime once you have it,just because she doesn't have signs of it at the moment doesn't mean it isn't there.Think of it as being like asthma (which I have) just because i'm not wheezing at the moment doesn't mean i don't have it.
A friend of mine had emphysema,the best thing she could do was to keep her house dust free,don't use strong cleansers though! Keep out of draughts,keep as healthy as possible in other ways,and avoid people who have any form of cold/cough/flu virus because it can do a lot of harm if you have this condition.
2007-02-28 07:53:44 · answer #1 · answered by munki 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably they meant "normal" as in what they would expect, not worse. My grandmother was diagnosed with emphysema about a year ago and had it really bad - she gave up smoking more than 20 years ago but it still affected her now - she now has to be careful out in the cold and not expose herself to the risk of respiratory diseases. But then she is probably much older, she's in her 80s. It looks like your mum is improving anyway and that is good! :)
2007-02-27 20:28:06 · answer #2 · answered by JoJi 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't know about the test, but just wanted to point out that my mum has lung problems, and she received really excellent treatment as she has been referred to the Brompton in London (are you in the UK?) You can ask for a referral, they see her every 6 months. Please ensure she has a good supply of antibiotics on reserve, if she gets a chest infection it could become serious quickly.
2007-02-27 21:20:29 · answer #3 · answered by Em 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technique is important in spirometry tests. If you dont get the puffs and blows right you will get a dodgy reading.
Tell her to get a second opinion if shes concerned.
2007-02-27 20:26:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋