Suggest Treatment For Emphysema

Posted on Tue, 23 May 2017

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

Tue, 23 May 2017 Answered on

Mon, 12 Jun 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : HI, I have been diagnosed with emphazema? I have a lot of weeziness most of the time. Lately I have developed a dry cough, along with aches and pains in my general body, and am having a hard time breathing.
Could I have developed pneumonia?
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Acute exacerbation of COPD (Emphysema), possibly pneumonia

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic

Breathing difficulty, cough in a patient with emphysema definitely raises the concern for bronchitis and pneumonia. Confirmation of diagnosis requires chest x-ray, sputum stain, and culture, Pulmonary peak flow testing.
Treatment is usually as an inpatient in a hospital and treated with bronchodilators, steroids, oxygen and Antibiotics.
Please quit smoking if you do so.
Please be advised to follow up with urgent care/emergency room for further management.

Hope this answers your question
Please address further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi

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