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What Does The Following Chest X Ray Report Indicate?
Question: Hello
I recently had a chest xray for a cracked rib and the results noted some emphysema changes to lungs.
The Dr told me I had emphysema and I had to stop smoking. I had my last cigarette the next day (cold turkey) and I haven't touched a smoke for a week. I have no desire to smoke at all now. I am 55, fit and have no other health problems. I find getting information about my life expectancy very confusing, of course I would like some idea I still have a dependant child and a mortgage!
Can you offer any information
I recently had a chest xray for a cracked rib and the results noted some emphysema changes to lungs.
The Dr told me I had emphysema and I had to stop smoking. I had my last cigarette the next day (cold turkey) and I haven't touched a smoke for a week. I have no desire to smoke at all now. I am 55, fit and have no other health problems. I find getting information about my life expectancy very confusing, of course I would like some idea I still have a dependant child and a mortgage!
Can you offer any information
Brief Answer:
First get done PFT for confirmation of disease.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
Emphysema is classified as chronic obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD).
Smoking is the biggest risk factor for it.
It is functional disease of lung.
So for the diagnosis of emphysema PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) is must.
It will also tell you about severity of the disease.
And treatment of emphysema is based on severity only.
Since you are smoker, possibility of functional limitation is high.
So first get done PFT. If PFT is normal then only smoking cessation is required.
But if PFT show obstructive defect then along with smoking cessation, inhaled bronchodilators are needed.
And prognosis is good with smoking cessation and inhaled bronchodilators.
And prognosis also depends on severity of disease.
So get done PFT first.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
First get done PFT for confirmation of disease.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
Emphysema is classified as chronic obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD).
Smoking is the biggest risk factor for it.
It is functional disease of lung.
So for the diagnosis of emphysema PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) is must.
It will also tell you about severity of the disease.
And treatment of emphysema is based on severity only.
Since you are smoker, possibility of functional limitation is high.
So first get done PFT. If PFT is normal then only smoking cessation is required.
But if PFT show obstructive defect then along with smoking cessation, inhaled bronchodilators are needed.
And prognosis is good with smoking cessation and inhaled bronchodilators.
And prognosis also depends on severity of disease.
So get done PFT first.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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