Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Could Breathing Difficulty In A Long Time Smoker Indicate Emphysema?
Hi, i am 28 years old and have been a heavy smoker since the age of 17. I have had trouble breathing lately and am worried that it may be early signs of emphysema. Is this possible at my age? I particularly have trouble exhaling. I noticed my rib cage was protruding more than usual to the front of my body, as well as my diaphragm had sunken in. This all happened quite fast too! It is winter in my location , so i am hoping it is just asthma or bronchitis. I am using an ASMOL puffer in the meantime, while I wait for my x-rays to be looked over by my doctor. I will also be doing a spirometric breathing test as well. The ASMOL puffer does help quite significantly, and i am able to breathe a lot deeper. I also had a wheezey cough which sounded a bit like an asthmatic cough, and was also accompanied with a sore, tight chest. I would appreciate some advice on how to differentiate between more severe pulmonary diseases such as emphysema, asthma, and bronchitis? I am quite worried about the possibility of emphysema, or even worse, emphysema. I had only recently began taking champix for smoking cessation and had reduced my intake of cigarettes, because i wanted to be free of smoking before age 30. Many thanks Flynn = )
Mon, 31 Aug 2020
Hi,
First of all, well done for making a right choice of modification of your lifestyle by quitting smoking, use nicotine replacement therapy either gum or patches it's really helpful. Secondly, emphysema usually started at the age of 33 to 35 but in your case you are smoking from long time and as you are saying your chest transverse diameter is increasing its a sign of emphysema so there is a possibility.
Asthma is a narrowing of you bronchioles which is like wind pipes in your lungs due to couple of causes and smoking can also cause it . Bronchitis usually present with chronic cough like 3 months in 2 years. You have done your chest x-ray which will give better idea what is happening. If something will come up in X-ray then you can have your lung function test for further details and plan of management.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Waqqas Shaheen, General & Family Physician
First of all, well done for making a right choice of modification of your lifestyle by quitting smoking, use nicotine replacement therapy either gum or patches it's really helpful. Secondly, emphysema usually started at the age of 33 to 35 but in your case you are smoking from long time and as you are saying your chest transverse diameter is increasing its a sign of emphysema so there is a possibility.
Asthma is a narrowing of you bronchioles which is like wind pipes in your lungs due to couple of causes and smoking can also cause it . Bronchitis usually present with chronic cough like 3 months in 2 years. You have done your chest x-ray which will give better idea what is happening. If something will come up in X-ray then you can have your lung function test for further details and plan of management.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Waqqas Shaheen, General & Family Physician
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....