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Suggest Treatment For Shortness Of Breath And Anxiety While Treating COPD

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Posted on Thu, 12 Mar 2015
Question: HI,

Was diagnosed with mild COPD 3 months ago. Doctor told me quit smoking and walk daily, so I did.
Had no symptoms before but know I am having shortness of breath as well as anxiety.

Went back to the doctor and gave me Symbicort 160/4.5 twice daily.

I am not sure is the shortness of breath becuase of the COPD or the anxiety especially the the tests that I did shows that same results of the first tests (the prognosis of COPD was bease on the first tests)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Shortness of breath in your case is related to COPD.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir.

I understand your query and concern.

The Shortness of breath in your case is related mainly to the underlying COPD.

Anxiety can only contribute to less than 10% in your case.

COPD is a progressive disorder even when on therapy.

Progression of the disease might not be evident immediately on the tests.

Its takes some more time to become evident on tests.

Hence Pulmonary function tests/PFT's are ordered every 6 months to document changes.

Like wise CT chest can detect progressive changes well before PFT.It is usually ordered on annual basis.

Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (1 hour later)
Thanks for your answer, however what are the odds that symptoms start appearing right after the diagnosis?

I agree that progression should be evaluated periodically however two doctors confirmed that quitting smoking and brisk walking (smoking I quit and i am walking for 30 min daily) can slow or even normalize the progression.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (19 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Quitting smoking will help to normalize lung function.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir.

I understand your concern.

The odds are high in case of symptoms developing post diagnosis. The degree of lung damage is significantly high at the time of diagnosis.

Regular walk and Quitting smoking has high chances for normalisation of lung function.

Post your further queries if any.

Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Prasanna Heijebu

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 1422 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Shortness Of Breath And Anxiety While Treating COPD

Brief Answer: Shortness of breath in your case is related to COPD. Detailed Answer: Hi Sir. I understand your query and concern. The Shortness of breath in your case is related mainly to the underlying COPD. Anxiety can only contribute to less than 10% in your case. COPD is a progressive disorder even when on therapy. Progression of the disease might not be evident immediately on the tests. Its takes some more time to become evident on tests. Hence Pulmonary function tests/PFT's are ordered every 6 months to document changes. Like wise CT chest can detect progressive changes well before PFT.It is usually ordered on annual basis. Post your further queries,if any. Thank you.