Understanding Your Breathing Issues: Is It COPD or Mild Asthma?
I often feel anxious because I can't catch my breath. I'm afraid it might be COPD or obstructive pneumonia? Hello, doctor. I am very grateful for your help in addressing my recent experience of feeling unable to take a full breath. I often feel the urge to take deep bre...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Hello: Based on the description, it may be asthma, and currently, there is no COPD. Please quit smoking as soon as possible and follow up at the pulmonology outpatient clinic.[Read More] Understanding Your Breathing Issues: Is It COPD or Mild Asthma?
When to Seek Medical Attention for Elderly COPD Patients: Key Signs and Guidelines
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Hello, doctor. I have an elderly family member who is 87 years old and has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They are currently in a long-term care facility and are experiencing shortness of breath and low blood oxygen leve...
Dr. Guo Hongyi Reply:
Hello, the long-term care center should have medical personnel to assist in assessment. Additionally, the evaluation of shortness of breath and blood oxygen levels must be based on the patient's condition at the time, as each patient's baseline can vary significantly. G...[Read More] When to Seek Medical Attention for Elderly COPD Patients: Key Signs and Guidelines
Understanding the Impact of Propranolol on Asthma and COPD Symptoms
Drug side effects in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? I consulted a cardiologist two years ago who was unaware of my asthma condition. They strongly encouraged me to take the sedative Ambien and the antiarrhythmic drug Propranolol. After a month of taking these medic...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: Please first visit the pulmonary medicine department for treatment, adjust your medication, and provide your past medical history (including medications).[Read More] Understanding the Impact of Propranolol on Asthma and COPD Symptoms
Understanding Breathing Difficulties: Could It Be Lung Obstruction?
Suspected pulmonary obstruction? I would like to know why, after taking sedative medication, my asthma has worsened, making it harder to breathe. It seems like I'm not exchanging air properly while sleeping, and now I feel a heavy pressure on my back and chest. This used to ...
Dr. Wang Lanfeng Reply:
Hello: The symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can sometimes be quite similar. At times, we need to rely on past medical history and exposure to risk factors for a comprehensive assessment before making a judgment. Additionally, it is important to ...[Read More] Understanding Breathing Difficulties: Could It Be Lung Obstruction?
Understanding Suspected Lung Obstruction: Symptoms and Diagnosis
Suspected pulmonary obstruction? I have been experiencing back pain for a year (not musculoskeletal pain, but pain related to the lungs). My lung capacity is poor, and when I inhale, it feels like I'm not exchanging air properly; it feels shallow, and I run out of breath qui...
Dr. Wang Lanfeng Reply:
Hello: The symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can sometimes be quite similar. At times, we need to rely on the patient's medical history and exposure to risk factors for a comprehensive assessment before making a judgment. Additionally, it is...[Read More] Understanding Suspected Lung Obstruction: Symptoms and Diagnosis
Understanding Your Chest CT Scan Report: Key Insights and Follow-Up
Computed Tomography Report I would like to inquire about the content of the examination report. I have been experiencing recurrent discomfort near my chest area, which prompted me to undergo a CT scan and X-ray report. The physician reviewed the results and stated that no issues ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Junyi: According to the report, there are small nodules in the lungs, but they are not large (0.3 cm and 0.6 cm). It is recommended to follow up with a CT scan in two years. During this period, you can have a chest X-ray for follow-up annually. Best wishes![Read More] Understanding Your Chest CT Scan Report: Key Insights and Follow-Up
Understanding Chemical Sensitivity: Allergic Reactions in the Workplace
Chemical volatile gas allergy Hello, Doctor! I am a factory worker, and recently my job requires me to frequently (though not daily) come into contact with various chemical adhesives, such as moisture-proof adhesives (hydrocarbon-based light volatile oils, octane and its isomers)...
Dr. Wang Lanfeng Reply:
Hello: Based on your description, the chemical substances you have been exposed to can indeed cause irritation and inflammatory reactions of the respiratory mucosa, leading to the symptoms you mentioned. Individual responses to chemical irritants can vary, so not everyone will ex...[Read More] Understanding Chemical Sensitivity: Allergic Reactions in the Workplace
Understanding Chronic Cough and Asthma: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Chronic cough and asthma that have been troubling for a long time? Hello Doctor: I have been coughing since mid-February of this year, and it has been over two months. My symptoms include an itchy throat and trachea, coughing, and a lot of phlegm (all white and transparent foam)....
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: The treatment provided by your physician is appropriate, but there may still be other factors that are not well controlled, such as dietary aspects. Western medicine may not emphasize this as much, while traditional Chinese medicine will consider your constitution and prov...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Cough and Asthma: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Understanding Low Oxygen Levels: Causes and Management in Respiratory Health
Hypoxemia Hello doctor, around October last year, I started coughing up yellow sputum in the mornings. I went to the hospital, and the sputum test indicated a Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) infection. I took Cravit for several weeks, but there was no improvement. In December, a low-d...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear EVAN: 1. Continuous KP infection is quite unusual, as clinically there should be symptoms such as fever, productive cough, and abnormal white blood cell counts. Please confirm with the hospital whether bronchiectasis has been diagnosed, and if so, consider using postural dr...[Read More] Understanding Low Oxygen Levels: Causes and Management in Respiratory Health
Understanding COPD Symptoms and Management: A Guide for Patients
Questions about pulmonary obstruction? My father is 68 years old and recently experienced severe coughing and shortness of breath in the middle of the night due to a cold front. He had phlegm and was taken to the emergency room, where they only performed an X-ray and did not cond...
Dr. Wang Lanfeng Reply:
Hello: Based on your description, your father has a long history of smoking and exhibits symptoms related to pulmonary obstruction. After being evaluated by a qualified pulmonologist, there should be no issues with the diagnosis. Currently, for pulmonary obstruction, it is genera...[Read More] Understanding COPD Symptoms and Management: A Guide for Patients
Should We Take My Father to the ER for Worsening COPD and Lung Cancer?
My father has been getting worse after his recent follow-up visit and hospitalization. Should we go to the emergency room? My father was diagnosed with COPD five years ago, and his lung function has been declining since then. Last year, he was also diagnosed with lung adenocarcin...
Dr. Zhang Ziyan Reply:
Hello Mr. Tsai, regarding your question about whether to go to the emergency room for hospitalization, let me start with the conclusion: it depends on what you expect the emergency hospitalization to accomplish. During the Lunar New Year period, examinations, medications, and oxy...[Read More] Should We Take My Father to the ER for Worsening COPD and Lung Cancer?
Understanding Pulmonary Infiltrates: Causes, Concerns, and Care Tips
Pulmonary infiltration Hello, my family member was taken to the emergency room due to blood oxygen levels dropping to the 70s. They have a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and multiple pneumonia infections. During this hospitalization, the nurse mentioned t...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Pulmonary infiltrates may be indicative of pneumonia, excessive mucus, or pulmonary edema. It is advisable to consult the attending physician for a clearer diagnosis. Maintaining a balanced diet, enhancing sputum clearance, and practicing deep breathing exercises to avoid ...[Read More] Understanding Pulmonary Infiltrates: Causes, Concerns, and Care Tips
Managing COPD: Inhaler Use and Concerns About Dependency
Inhaled medications for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? Hello, doctor. The elderly patient has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition to taking medication and using an oxygen concentrator at home, he also uses steam inhalation. His condition was s...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: 1. It is recommended to use the inhaled medication for 2-3 days, and you can stop once improvement is noted. 2. Inhaling every 6 hours is acceptable. 3. The most important aspect of maintenance is to use the inhaled medication regularly at the same time every day. 4. If th...[Read More] Managing COPD: Inhaler Use and Concerns About Dependency
Dietary Considerations for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients
What are the dietary issues related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? Hello, the elder in my family has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and recurrent pneumonia. I found online that COPD patients should limit their intake of carbohydrates and gas-produc...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: You can consult your attending physician for dietary advice, as they have a better understanding of any abnormalities in your past test results that need to be addressed.[Read More] Dietary Considerations for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients
Breathing Exercises for COPD Patients: Reducing Oxygen Dependency
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Respiratory Training Hello, Director: For a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is elderly and relies on an oxygen concentrator for 24 hours at a flow rate of 2 to 2.5 liters per minute, with an oxygen satur...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: 1. It is recommended to use oxygen if you experience shortness of breath or your oxygen saturation drops below 88% during the day. 2. It is advised to use oxygen for more than 14 hours daily. 3. Continue with self-directed deep breathing exercises, particularly focusing on...[Read More] Breathing Exercises for COPD Patients: Reducing Oxygen Dependency
Effective Strategies to Prevent Pneumonia in Elderly with COPD
How to prevent pneumonia? Dear Director Yang, I have an elderly family member who is nearly ninety years old and suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He experiences severe shortness of breath and currently uses a urinary bag. Due to his difficulty in moving...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Older adults generally have weaker immune systems, so it's important to get the flu vaccine annually. A common cause of pneumonia in the elderly is aspiration, so it's essential to assess for any swallowing difficulties. If necessary, consider the use of a nasoga...[Read More] Effective Strategies to Prevent Pneumonia in Elderly with COPD
Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Key Concerns and Solutions
I would like to inquire about issues related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? Dear Director, One of our elderly family members has been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is currently experiencing severe asthma due to recurrent pneumo...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: 1. It is recommended to use a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) alone or a combination of a long-acting beta-agonist and a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LABA+LAMA) to reduce the incidence of pneumonia. 2. For those who are long-term oxygen-dependent, it is ...[Read More] Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Key Concerns and Solutions
Understanding New Lung Shadows on X-rays: What Could They Mean?
The chest X-ray shows abnormalities? Hello, doctor. My father is 65 years old and has moderate COPD. He has experienced asthma symptoms for the past 3-4 years and occasionally coughs. During a follow-up visit on August 3rd, a chest X-ray revealed a 2 cm white shadow at the lower ...
Dr. Chen Junwei Reply:
Hello, a chest X-ray cannot be used to screen for lung tumors due to the influence of image quality and the presence of interpretive blind spots. Therefore, a computed tomography (CT) scan is needed for further evaluation. There are many possible causes for lung shadows, and some...[Read More] Understanding New Lung Shadows on X-rays: What Could They Mean?
Understanding Asthma: Risks of COPD and Expired Medication Use
About Asthma Hello, Doctor: I have two questions to ask you. 1. If asthma is not well controlled, is it possible for it to develop into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as one gets older? 2. Can expired acute asthma medications (such as albuterol or levalbuterol) stil...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: 1. Poorly controlled asthma frequently exacerbates, leading to chronic inflammation that results in bronchial smooth muscle hyperplasia and airway narrowing. The response to bronchodilators diminishes, and the pathological changes resemble those seen in chronic obstructive...[Read More] Understanding Asthma: Risks of COPD and Expired Medication Use
Understanding COPD Medications: Risks for Non-COPD Patients
What are the medication issues related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? Hello, Director. My elder family member had a long-term smoking habit in their youth, which they have quit for many years. However, they were diagnosed with tuberculosis over twenty years ago ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
1. The presence or absence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is still more reliably assessed through pulmonary function tests, depending on whether the elderly patient can complete the examination. 2. Bronchodilators (commonly referred to as medications related to...[Read More] Understanding COPD Medications: Risks for Non-COPD Patients