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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
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COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) |
Emphysema life expectancy05/17/2007 |
My father has severe COPD/Emphysema. He is currently using oyxen full time(2liter), he does not excerise, he smokes about a five cigarettes daily. He is 68 years old. Recently his feet started turning purple and his ankle have started swelling. His family doctor is current treating this problem with a blood thinner and fluid pill. His doctor was not able to answer some of my questions whether or not this problems goes with COPD. My Grandfather died with emphysema when he was 64. I want to try to help my father have a good life, but I would like to know how to prepare for upcoming events. What can I expect from this disease? How long would you predict his life will be?
It is hard to predict how long your father would live not knowing other relevant clinical information about him such as pulmonary function test. However, it's important for him to quit smoking all together to avoid further damage to his lungs.
The ankle swelling and purple color in his feet may be related to his emphysema. Damage to the lung circulation as occurs in emphysema can cause increased pressure in the lung's blood vessels, which in turn can cause increased pressure on the right side of the heart. This can result in leg swelling.
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Mahasti Rittinger, RRT Clinical Program Manager Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine Department of Internal Medicine College of Medicine The Ohio State University |
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