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Suggest Treatment For Respiratory Infection In An Elderly Person
Question: I am a 71 year old non smoking female. I was sent for a chest X-ray due to upper respiratory infection. X-ray shows darkened lungs and dr said it is emphasema . Never having smoked this is hard to believe. Could darkened lungs be peneaumonia instead?
Brief Answer:
Emphysema may be due to many causes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Emphysema belong to COPD(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) group.It may be due to many causes and it is not always due to smoking.
It may also be due to pollution,genetic causes etc.
Dark area in lungs may indicate emphysema but it is important to see other findings like hyperinflation of lungs,flattening of diaphragm,heart shape etc.
Pneumonia usually causes bright,inhomogeneous area in chest X-ray,it doesn't cause dark area.
You may need proper clinical evaluation and further tests like HRCT of thorax.
High resolution CT scan of thorax may assess emphysematous changes in detail.
HRCT can assess type of emphysema,extent etc in lungs.
Treatment depend upon findings and severity.Generally this condition only require conservative treatment.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Emphysema may be due to many causes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Emphysema belong to COPD(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) group.It may be due to many causes and it is not always due to smoking.
It may also be due to pollution,genetic causes etc.
Dark area in lungs may indicate emphysema but it is important to see other findings like hyperinflation of lungs,flattening of diaphragm,heart shape etc.
Pneumonia usually causes bright,inhomogeneous area in chest X-ray,it doesn't cause dark area.
You may need proper clinical evaluation and further tests like HRCT of thorax.
High resolution CT scan of thorax may assess emphysematous changes in detail.
HRCT can assess type of emphysema,extent etc in lungs.
Treatment depend upon findings and severity.Generally this condition only require conservative treatment.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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