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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Breathing Difficulty?

Hello. IHave a 74 year old very good friend.He is a long time smoker. for the last 3 weeks he has to sit up to sleep or he cant breathe. I m very worried. Mainly my question is what can i donor he do to be able to sleep. For some reason he says he lays awake almost every night for last 2 -3 weeks. THank you very much for your time.
Fri, 21 Jul 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Thanks for putting your query over here.
If your friend has a history of chronic smoker plus the impact of his increasing age,he needs to be assessed for various medical conditions like hypertension,heart disease,diabetes,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease etc.These diseases may be silent and develop gradually inside the body and may manifest as breathlessness on rest as you mentioned.
Does he have any associated medical condition already diagnosed?Is he under any medications right now?If yes,regular follow up with your treating physician and compliance with prescribed medications is must.If no,you need to take him to a physician for further diagnostic follow up.

Thanks and regards.
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What Causes Breathing Difficulty?

Thanks for putting your query over here. If your friend has a history of chronic smoker plus the impact of his increasing age,he needs to be assessed for various medical conditions like hypertension,heart disease,diabetes,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease etc.These diseases may be silent and develop gradually inside the body and may manifest as breathlessness on rest as you mentioned. Does he have any associated medical condition already diagnosed?Is he under any medications right now?If yes,regular follow up with your treating physician and compliance with prescribed medications is must.If no,you need to take him to a physician for further diagnostic follow up. Thanks and regards.