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What Causes Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder In Old Age?

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Posted on Sat, 19 Apr 2014
Question: I am male, 83 years old. about 5-6 weeks ago I had a bad cold. This became a bad cough (as it had done on may occasions in past years. This time, however, the cough diminished and for 10 to 12 day I have had considerable crepitus in the chest - getting worse although I have had a course of amoxicillin and am presently on clathromycin (500 mg tbd) plus prednisalone (30 mg) once per day. I have followed this regime for 3 days and so far it has not changed anything. Any suggestions ?
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Answered by Dr. Arnab Maji (49 minutes later)
Brief Answer: COPD and Pneumonia are possibilities Detailed Answer: Hello, I admire your worry on this respect. You are aged (83 years) and in this age group it is very usual to have chest disorders especially Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD). Cough which is not getting relieved is very much indicative of COPD. I want to know the following points specially - 1. Are you a smoker? 2. Is there expectoration with cough and if yes then what is its colour? 3. Is there any pedal swelling? 4. Is there any breathlessness? Crepitations may be due to pneumonia or heart failure. For pneumonia you have more chance to have community acquired pneumonia for which you need to take Co-amoxiclav (625 mg TDS for 5 days) along with clarithromycin or azithromycin which you are taking right now. You need to consult a pulmonologist (chest specialist) immediately and get examined by him and kindly go through the following suggested tests for better evaluation of your lung condition to get an answer of your problem - 1. Chest X-ray (PA view) 2. Spirometry with bronchodialation (Pulmonary Function Test) 3. ECG in 12 leads 4. Hemoglobin, total count, differential count, ESR 5. Fasting Blood sugar, Urea, Creatinine After these report being done You can consult me with reports. God bless you. Get well soon. Regards Dr Arnab Maji
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Arnab Maji

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 661 Questions

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What Causes Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder In Old Age?

Brief Answer: COPD and Pneumonia are possibilities Detailed Answer: Hello, I admire your worry on this respect. You are aged (83 years) and in this age group it is very usual to have chest disorders especially Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD). Cough which is not getting relieved is very much indicative of COPD. I want to know the following points specially - 1. Are you a smoker? 2. Is there expectoration with cough and if yes then what is its colour? 3. Is there any pedal swelling? 4. Is there any breathlessness? Crepitations may be due to pneumonia or heart failure. For pneumonia you have more chance to have community acquired pneumonia for which you need to take Co-amoxiclav (625 mg TDS for 5 days) along with clarithromycin or azithromycin which you are taking right now. You need to consult a pulmonologist (chest specialist) immediately and get examined by him and kindly go through the following suggested tests for better evaluation of your lung condition to get an answer of your problem - 1. Chest X-ray (PA view) 2. Spirometry with bronchodialation (Pulmonary Function Test) 3. ECG in 12 leads 4. Hemoglobin, total count, differential count, ESR 5. Fasting Blood sugar, Urea, Creatinine After these report being done You can consult me with reports. God bless you. Get well soon. Regards Dr Arnab Maji