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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Are Interstitial Lung Markings With Productive Cough Signs Of Early COPD?

57-year-old female not formally diagnosed with asthma or COPD. Last chest x-ray 5 years ago showed interstitial lung markings maybe early COPD? Family history of asthma and COPD in mother. Only have shortness of breath for about an hour in the morning when first getting up. Real bad with exertion but goes away within one hour and fine the rest of the day and night and can walk, run, do activities of daily living. Primary care says may be asthma but he did not put me on any kind of inhalers. Not sure what this is but it is bad to the point that I have to sit still for at least an hour every morning and then just goes away suddenly. Former smoker quit 13 years ago. Also with productive cough in the morning only of thick, clear sputum. Nothing else for the entire day
Fri, 12 Dec 2014
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Pulmonologist 's  Response
As you have been a smoker and you are breathless on exertion, it can be an early COPD. However to confirm or rule out, it will be best to do a spirometry.
It can also be chronic bronchitis where in you feeling breathless due to the retained secretions in the morning. Once you throw out the sputum, you are fine the whole day.
Get a CT chest and a spirometry and see a chest physician
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Are Interstitial Lung Markings With Productive Cough Signs Of Early COPD?

As you have been a smoker and you are breathless on exertion, it can be an early COPD. However to confirm or rule out, it will be best to do a spirometry. It can also be chronic bronchitis where in you feeling breathless due to the retained secretions in the morning. Once you throw out the sputum, you are fine the whole day. Get a CT chest and a spirometry and see a chest physician