Suggest Treatment For Mild Emphysema

Posted on Thu, 14 May 2015

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

Thu, 14 May 2015 Answered on

Wed, 3 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a CT scan done. The doctor told me I was showing signs of mild emphysema. Everything I find on the Internet is negative and scary.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 minutes later)

HI

What exactly you want to know from me ?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 minute later)

I had a CT scan done. The doctor told me I was showing signs of mild emphysema. Everything I find on the Internet is negative and scary. I wasn't sure what this meant and prognosis.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry much for this.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Emphysema is lung condition in which airways are structurally damaged.
Smoking is the biggest risk factor for this. Other risk factors are infection, old age, inhalational injury due to chemicals or pollution etc.
And breathlessness on exertion and cough are the earliest symptoms of emphysema.
So if you are nonsmoker and not having any symptoms then no need to worry for this CT report.
Please let me know
1. Are you smoker?
2. Do you have any symptoms of cough or breathlessness?
3. What was your indication for CT thorax?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (26 minutes later)

1. Yes- working on quitting
2. No
3. ???

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Better to quit smoking as soon as possible.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
Your CT changes of mild emphysema is mostly due to smoking related lung damage.
So better to quit smoking as soon as possible.
If you quit smoking at this stage, further lung damage can be prevented.
If you continue smoking then you will definitely develop symptoms of COPD (chronic obstructive Pulmonary disease) like cough, breathlessness, chest pain etc.
So better to quit smoking as soon as possible.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar