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Smoker. Diagnosed With Chronic Lung Disease. On Medication For Irregular Heartbeat. Feeling Weak, Headache
Question: My husband, who has been a heavy smoker since he was 18 years of age and is now 80, was ad mitted to hospital two months ago and was diagnosed with chronic lung disease. The doctors also suspected a clot on the lung and prescribed one 1mg warfarin. tablet a day together with one digoxin for an irregular heart beat, 1 40mg omeprazole and originally 7 tablets of predizolone which have gradually been reduced until 26th of April when the dose will cease. He is eating regular nourishing meals but despite these is not putting on a lot of weight and complains of feeling very weak throughout his body and occasionally a headache; Why? Please enlighten.
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on Health Care Magic.
The history mentioned by you suggests that your husband is a chronic smoker, has a chronic lung disease and pulmonary emolism.
Your husband has been prescribed drugs for pulmonary embolism, drug for arrhythmia and steroids probably for chronic lung disease.
Before stopping a steroid (prednisolone), the dose has to be tappered slowly over a period of time.
The history and treatment suggests that the chronic lung disease (probably interstitial lung disease) is causing heart disease called cor pulmonale.
The associated weight loss and weakness are a part of the disease process.
Since the lung disease is progressive, these symptoms will also progress.
A good diet especially XXXXXXX in proteins and calories should be given.
Vitamin deficiencies should also be corrected after consultation by your doctor.
If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Thanks for posting your query on Health Care Magic.
The history mentioned by you suggests that your husband is a chronic smoker, has a chronic lung disease and pulmonary emolism.
Your husband has been prescribed drugs for pulmonary embolism, drug for arrhythmia and steroids probably for chronic lung disease.
Before stopping a steroid (prednisolone), the dose has to be tappered slowly over a period of time.
The history and treatment suggests that the chronic lung disease (probably interstitial lung disease) is causing heart disease called cor pulmonale.
The associated weight loss and weakness are a part of the disease process.
Since the lung disease is progressive, these symptoms will also progress.
A good diet especially XXXXXXX in proteins and calories should be given.
Vitamin deficiencies should also be corrected after consultation by your doctor.
If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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