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Have Acute Respiratory Distress. Taken To Chest Hospital. Required Oxygen. Was Smoking. Have BRONCHIECTASIS. Suggestions?
A FRIEND HAD AN ACUTE ONSET OF RESPIRATORY DISTRESS WHILE VISITING THE USA AND HAD TO BE AIRLIFTED BACK TO THE UK TO THE CHEST HOSPITAL IN LONDON. HE REQUIRED INTERMITTENT OXYGEN AND INCREASING ADMISSION TO HOSPITAL OVER A 2 YEAR PERIOD. ON HIS LAST ADMISSION HE WAS ALERT WHILE HAVING TREATMENT THE SUDDENLY COLLAPSED AND DIED. HE DID SMOKE MANY YEARS AGO AND WAS IN THE MIDDLE EAST DURING THE GULF WAR BUT WAS WELL AND HEALTHY. WOULD I BE CORRECT IN THINKING HE WOULD HAVE HAD CORD ? wHAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED SUDDEN DEATH?
AS FOR MYSELF I HAVE NEVER SMOKED BUT WAS IN THE MIDDLE EAST DURING THE GULF WAR. FOUR YEARS AGO I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HAVING BRONCHIECTASIS. I SUSPECT THE AIR POLLUTION DURING THE GULF WAR HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THIS. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO TAKE ANTIOBIOTICS AT THE FIRST SIGN OF INFECTION AND TO DO DAILY EXERCISES TO HELP CLEAR MY CHEST. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS TO KEEP ME HEALTHY?
AS FOR MYSELF I HAVE NEVER SMOKED BUT WAS IN THE MIDDLE EAST DURING THE GULF WAR. FOUR YEARS AGO I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HAVING BRONCHIECTASIS. I SUSPECT THE AIR POLLUTION DURING THE GULF WAR HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THIS. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO TAKE ANTIOBIOTICS AT THE FIRST SIGN OF INFECTION AND TO DO DAILY EXERCISES TO HELP CLEAR MY CHEST. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS TO KEEP ME HEALTHY?
posted on
Wed, 21 Aug 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 24 Aug 2013
Answered on
Sat, 24 Aug 2013
Last reviewed on
Hello,
Thanks for the query to H.C.M. Forum.
Very sorry for untimely death of your friend.
As you ,both were in Gulf war ,but don't be in panic .
As doctor has diagnosed BRONCHIECTASIS so don't worry treatment is there.
Therapy has 4 major goals as,
1 Elimination of an identifiable underlying problem,
2 Improved clearance of secretions from tracheobronchial pathways,
3 Control of infection,
4 Reversal of airflow obstruction.
Now in detail===appropriate treatment should be instituted when a treatable cause is found .e.g.tuberculosis , ABPA with glucocorticoids.
As there develop copious secretion so use secretion thinning drugs as serratiopeptidase.
Proper antibiotics after culture of expectoration.
Bronchodilators for constriction .
In spite of this no improvement and severe hemoptysis then surgery is only an option.
Hope I have answered your question.
If further any question I will help.
Get well soon .
Dr. HET
Thanks for the query to H.C.M. Forum.
Very sorry for untimely death of your friend.
As you ,both were in Gulf war ,but don't be in panic .
As doctor has diagnosed BRONCHIECTASIS so don't worry treatment is there.
Therapy has 4 major goals as,
1 Elimination of an identifiable underlying problem,
2 Improved clearance of secretions from tracheobronchial pathways,
3 Control of infection,
4 Reversal of airflow obstruction.
Now in detail===appropriate treatment should be instituted when a treatable cause is found .e.g.tuberculosis , ABPA with glucocorticoids.
As there develop copious secretion so use secretion thinning drugs as serratiopeptidase.
Proper antibiotics after culture of expectoration.
Bronchodilators for constriction .
In spite of this no improvement and severe hemoptysis then surgery is only an option.
Hope I have answered your question.
If further any question I will help.
Get well soon .
Dr. HET
I find this answer helpful
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3 Doctors agree with this answer
off and on antibiotics needded
you need to clear chest yes exercises
the pulmonary physiotherapist can tell you rehabilitation exercises which can help you
can use antiallergics to reduce secretions of respiratory system or bronchodilator syp in case of difficulity in breathing
you need to clear chest yes exercises
the pulmonary physiotherapist can tell you rehabilitation exercises which can help you
can use antiallergics to reduce secretions of respiratory system or bronchodilator syp in case of difficulity in breathing
I find this answer helpful
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