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How To Keep Fit When Suffering From Emphysema?

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Posted on Tue, 22 Apr 2014
Question: My boyfriend has been diagnosed with Emphysema.He has been a smoker. He had a CT scan this week and will have one in 3 mos. He is a long time smoker and has stopped on and off. In the meantime I would like to know what steps we should take in the short run to keep him as healthy as possible. He is 76 years old and is generally in good health. Thank you. XXXX
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Answered by Dr. Arnab Maji (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Inhalers,smoking cessation, breathing exercise etc Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for your query. The following steps you should follow - 1. Smoking cessation - never ever smoke a single cigarette from now on if possible 2. If not possible then he can have nicotine replacement therapy after consulting a pulmonologist. 3. Go for a spirometric evaluation for severity of emphysema. 4. Regular use of inhalers prescribed by pulmonologist and dose adjustment as per severity 5. Breathing exercises like pursed lip breathing, diaphragmatic exercise 6. Pulmonary rehabilitation in a proper rehab center 7. Pulmonary vaccination - pneumococcal vaccination once in a life time and yearly influenza vaccination 8. Regular check up by a pulmonologist to look for comorbidities 9. Proper management of exacerbations if occurred 10. Oxygen when required as prescribed by your pulmonologist If you have further queries you may write back to me. Thank you Regards, Dr Arnab Maji MBBS, MD Consultant Pulmonologist
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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How To Keep Fit When Suffering From Emphysema?

Brief Answer: Inhalers,smoking cessation, breathing exercise etc Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for your query. The following steps you should follow - 1. Smoking cessation - never ever smoke a single cigarette from now on if possible 2. If not possible then he can have nicotine replacement therapy after consulting a pulmonologist. 3. Go for a spirometric evaluation for severity of emphysema. 4. Regular use of inhalers prescribed by pulmonologist and dose adjustment as per severity 5. Breathing exercises like pursed lip breathing, diaphragmatic exercise 6. Pulmonary rehabilitation in a proper rehab center 7. Pulmonary vaccination - pneumococcal vaccination once in a life time and yearly influenza vaccination 8. Regular check up by a pulmonologist to look for comorbidities 9. Proper management of exacerbations if occurred 10. Oxygen when required as prescribed by your pulmonologist If you have further queries you may write back to me. Thank you Regards, Dr Arnab Maji MBBS, MD Consultant Pulmonologist