I am a male 80yrs stopped smoking 40 yrs ago. now doctor says i have moderate emphysema,now what ? -
I am a male 80yrs stopped smoking 40 yrs ago. now doctor says i have moderate emphysema,now what ? -
I am a male 80yrs stopped smoking 40 yrs ago.now doctor says i have moderate emphysema,now what ?
had 4 way heart oper in 2001- i have appointment with my heart dr. soonStarting with your cardiologist is fine but see a pulmonologist. They are the specialists in that area. One of the things that they will recommend is that you switch from chest breathing to diaphragmatic breathing. When you breath using the chest muscles the air exchange is primarilly in the upper lobes. Diaphragmatic breathing goes into the lower lobes and increases the amount of air exchanged. The problem in emphysema is not with the air in but with getting it out. So along with the diaphragmatic techniques are going to be purse breathing. That is a long slow exhalation. Doing that cuts down significantly in the turbulance in the lung and allows a better exhalation. You will most likely be seen either by a physical or respirational therapist. Good luck!In my experience they feel they have to say something to justify their existence.
Moderate emphysema is basically shortness of breath when doing strenuous activity. Frankly if I get to 80 with nothing more than that I-d be ecstatic. You-re already the best part of 4 years past the average life expectancy, I-d have thought you wouldn-t have been that worried about itI would go along w/ Richard, one other thing ask if you could go to -Respiratory Rehab-, this would be in consultation with a Pulmanologist of your Doctors choosing. They can help in teaching you how to breath healthy again and they have patients w/ heart ailments too, they also teach you about stress, Good luck bud.now what? now you live what remains of your life, good lord man, you are 80 years old, you-ve already exceeded a normal life span, probably because you did quit smoking 40 years ago. Would suggest that at your age, you should have learned by now to live each day as it comes.Not sure, but want to wish you the best of luck with everything.
I would suggest getting several different opinions from different doctors..
and try to find the one with the most experience in dealing with whatever you are going through.
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