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My Father Is 73 Years Old And The Last Year

Posted on Sat, 7 Sep 2019

Question: My father is 73 years old and the last year he’s tired all the time and is constantly coughing up mucus. He’s been to the doctors and they told him he has the beginning stages of copd. He also recently has discovered that he has a hole in his eardrum. He’s constantly fatigued but has a difficult time falling asleep because he wakes up coughing up phlegm. Any advice would be appreciated and welcomed

Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
COPD

Detailed Answer:
Hi...
Welcome to "Ask a Doctor"service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX

I have gone through your query and here is my opinion.

To reduce mucus production and copd exacerbation and to improve the quality of his life,I would recommend the following....
1Avoid smoking (if applies)
2Avoid lung irritants like smoke,dust and fumes.
3Keep well hydrated
4Take flu and pneumococcal vaccination.
5Steam inhalation and use of humidifiers.
6Salt water gargle
7Commercially available omega 3 fatty acid supplements and use of more fish,seeds and nuts
8Have warm fluids and soups
8Avoid milk and milk products
9Keep head elevated while sleeping.
10Relaxation techniques and diaphragmatic breathing and physical therapy.
11Exercises to improve strength and endurance
12Antihistaminics like levocetrizine to reduce mucus.
13cough suppressants
14See your chest physician who would prescribe bronchodilors which will open the lung airways to make the breathing easier.
He would also prescribe him some steroid inhalers which would reduce local inflammation and hastens repair.

Hope that I have answered your query.If you have any doubts,please let me know.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (36 minutes later)

They have prescribed him some steroidal products which have definitely helped but as soon as he stops and the prescription runs out he's back to square one

Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (1 hour later)

I'm not a physician or do I have any medical schooling. But if I was forced into giving a prognosis. I might begin with his lungs. He quit smoking approximately 8 years ago but previously had been a 1-2 pack smoker for the previous 55 years. About six months before he began to exhibit these symptoms he was a full time worker. The reason I bring this up is because he was exposed to asbestos for several months. Obviously without my knowledge. I hope some of the information that I shared with you may help you with a better path to follow in father's health

Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
COPD

Detailed Answer:
Hi...
Welcome back.

The changes caused by asbestosis and smoking can neither reverse nor heal.
Only option is staying away from asbestos and quitting smoking immediately.
If he has asbestosis in past and has smoked, he had a dual lung damage and is at higher risk for lung cancer.
Bronchodilators and steroids are hallmark of COPD treatment and should be continued according to Dr's advise.
He may need nebulizer,vaporizer and domiciallary oxygen or BIPAP Machine according to the lung conditions.
Following lung exercises and respiratory rehabilitation program under a doctor’s supervision. would help.
Happy living.
Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D