Diagnosed With Asthma But Condition Sound Like Emphysema.

Posted on Thu, 13 Oct 2011

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 Answered on

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : My doctor has diagnosed me with asthma but at least three separate people have said it sounded more like Emphasymia to them. I am a 64 year old male!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (1 hour later)

Hello,

Thanks for posting your query.

Diagnosing asthma is mainly a clinical diagnosis characterized by wheezing, shortness of breath acute in onset with a history of such repeated episodes. Person may have decreased oxygenation of blood.

Emphysema is mainly diagnosed on an X-ray showing hyperlucent lung fields, flattened domes of diaphragms, tubular heart shadow. Person breathes in short steps but the blood oxygenation is maintained. There is no cyanosis.

You need toinvestigate further with relevant tests like spirometry, x-ray/CT scan of lung to differentially diagnose the two problems under the guidance of your pulmonologist.

Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Jyoti Patil