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Is Mild Emphysema In Chest A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Tue, 15 Mar 2016

Question: iam 58 years old, I did smoke but stopped 25 years ago ihave had lung xrays and they have come back fine . I run workout daily eat great go for all my health check ups , went for a liung xray and

I am 58 years old I stopped smoking 27 years ago, I have gone for lung x-rays and they have been fine. I workout everyday and run 3 times a week go to the doctor for check up and eat very good. I went for a lung x-ray because one of my friends sister found out she has cancer and it is not treatable it really scared me , the x-ray came back saying I have a little emphysema. now I'm really scared I have absolutely no symptoms. can you explain please

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Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Mild Emphysema is a minor finding and it is not concerning.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to HCM

Mild Emphysema is a minor finding and it is not concerning.
Mild emphysema may be due to smoking history.
Generally this condition doesn't require any treatment.

It is good that you are so active in daily activities and you should continue it.

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

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (24 minutes later)

Thanks Dr., why did it not show up in previous X-rays?

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Mild emphysema in chest X-ray is a subjective finding.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to HCM

Mild emphysema in chest X-ray is a subjective finding.
HRCT(thorax)may be done for proper evaluation.
Please don't be scared,mild emphysema is not a very serious finding.

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

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (5 hours later)

I also read that a x ray is not a very good way to look at the lungs. what do you think ? Also what do you think of a total body scan with a mri ? I heard that people are doing this for early detection . CT scans have way too much radiation . do you think the mri picks up all the diseases? please let me know your thoughts Is it worth it?

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Chest X-ray is good for screening of lung pathology.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to HCM

Chest X-ray is good for screening of lung pathology.If any pathology is detected then it may require further investigations.
MRI of whole body is generally advised after clinical assessment.I don't think you require it presently.
MRI can detect many pathology but it doesn't necessarily diagnose all the conditions.

If you have no symptoms then mild emphysema may be ignored.You may require further investigations after clinical evaluation.

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