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Can Smoking Cause COPD?
Question: My Dr can't figure out what's wrong with me. I'm 55 year old. I used to be in great health till the last 2 years. my breathing has gotten bad, pcp says it's COPD. But I thought you got that from smoking? I only smoked during the age of 16 till my father caught me and XXXXXXX my butt so never did it again. I used to be very active, would run 5 miles a day but I have trouble walking to mailbox. the muscles in my legs just aren't there any longer. stiff neck, find myself having to use a neck pillow because my head wants to fall back or to the right. please tell me something and I'm just not crazy or this is what being old is.
Brief Answer:
You need to undergo chest xray, spirometry and echo
Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear,
I would like to know if along with breathlessness you also have any cough. Do you have allergies like being uncomfortable in dust and smoke?
There are many causes of COPD, smoking being one of them and an important one. But that does not mean that non smokers do not develop COPD. Other causes could be environmental pollution, infections, allergies and many other factors. Similarly there can be many causes of breathlessness.
Your symptoms of leg muscle pain or stiff neck may not be due to COPD.
You need to undergo certain tests for breathlessness like spirometry, chest xray and echo for evaluation of your heart. If COPD turns out to be the diagnosis you have to start treatment, for which mainly inhalers are required. Thus I suggest you consult a pulmonologist for proper guidance.
For other issues like leg muscle fatigue get a complete health check including sugar, thyroid and vitamin D levels.
I hope this answers your query.
Take care.
You need to undergo chest xray, spirometry and echo
Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear,
I would like to know if along with breathlessness you also have any cough. Do you have allergies like being uncomfortable in dust and smoke?
There are many causes of COPD, smoking being one of them and an important one. But that does not mean that non smokers do not develop COPD. Other causes could be environmental pollution, infections, allergies and many other factors. Similarly there can be many causes of breathlessness.
Your symptoms of leg muscle pain or stiff neck may not be due to COPD.
You need to undergo certain tests for breathlessness like spirometry, chest xray and echo for evaluation of your heart. If COPD turns out to be the diagnosis you have to start treatment, for which mainly inhalers are required. Thus I suggest you consult a pulmonologist for proper guidance.
For other issues like leg muscle fatigue get a complete health check including sugar, thyroid and vitamin D levels.
I hope this answers your query.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
no allergies, thought that to however I'm now on a liquid diet because hard to swallow any thing with chunks. like My throat muscles don't want to work. my chest xray haven't come back. Dr thought I smoked more then I said I did because my voice is real raspy and sound like a man or sore throat, but I only smoked with friends after school and that was maybe a pack the whole time before I got caught. I drop everything, like all my muscles are shutting down. I'm not crazy. something is wrong.
Brief Answer:
It looks more like a neuromuscular problem.
Detailed Answer:
No dear , nobody says you are crazy.
From your description it looks more like a neuromuscular problem. Symptoms like not able to swallow, dropping things, leg muscles not moving.....all point towards a neuromuscular problem.
The breathing difficulty may also be due to that. You definitely need to consult your PCP or it'll be even better to consult a neurologist.
Hence I suggest without wasting further time you should consult a neurologist.
Regards
It looks more like a neuromuscular problem.
Detailed Answer:
No dear , nobody says you are crazy.
From your description it looks more like a neuromuscular problem. Symptoms like not able to swallow, dropping things, leg muscles not moving.....all point towards a neuromuscular problem.
The breathing difficulty may also be due to that. You definitely need to consult your PCP or it'll be even better to consult a neurologist.
Hence I suggest without wasting further time you should consult a neurologist.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
on a hmo and my pcp isn't listening to me. how do I get him to listen....
Brief Answer:
Consult another doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back Dear,
I'm sure you can consult another doctor or even go to a hospital.
Take care
Consult another doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back Dear,
I'm sure you can consult another doctor or even go to a hospital.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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