NetWellness COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

COPD

Michael Ezzie MD — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:11:00 EST

Question: I have bronchitis for the fourth time since March 2009. I don`t smoke and never have. Could this be considered COPD now or is it still acute?

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness and for your question. COPD is defined as airflow obstruction that is not fully reversible. The airflow obstruction in COPD is usually progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lung to noxious particles or gases (cigarette smoke in mo . . .

Ask an Expert: Michael Ezzie MD, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Emphysema and CPT (Cardio Pulmonary Therapy)

Michael Ezzie MD — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:10:00 EST

Question: I was a regestered respiratory therapist for many years but I`ve forgotton much of what I learned. Why is CPT contraindicated for emphysema. I don`t get why it wouldn`t be good for the places where you can hear air movement.

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness and for your question. I am assuming that you are referring to chest physiotherapy (percussion and postural drainage) when you say "cardiopulmonary therapy". There is not a contraindication for chest physiotherapy for emphysema, but there is no data that supports i . . .

Ask an Expert: Michael Ezzie MD, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Sister Has Had Emphysema for 22 Years

Michael Ezzie MD — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:10:00 EST

Question: My sister has had emphysema for 22 years and seems to think its ok to continue to smoke she thinks if it hasnt killed her yet then it wont. She has trouble breathing and has for some time and she gets headaches and recently has been battling depression. She dont have insurance and when she goes to t . . .

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness and for your question. The most important therapy for people with emphysema is to quit smoking. This is because smoking continues to cause damage to the lungs and also causes damage to other organs. This can lead to heart disease, cancer, or a stroke. Smoking cessa . . .

Ask an Expert: Michael Ezzie MD, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Advanced Emphysema and COPD Air Way Closed

Mahasti Rittinger RRT — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:10:00 EST

Question: My mother in law was invloved in an accident smoking w/ oxygen. There was an explosion and a fire and she was in the smoldering home for at least 6 hours. This happened 6 days ago. Before the accident she was diagnosed w/ advanced emphysema and COPD. She is malnourished and weighs 73 lbs at 5` tall. . . .

Answer:

http://www.goldcopd.com/< . . .

Ask an Expert: Gretchen Whitby APRN, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Ribcage/Pressure

Michael Ezzie MD — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:09:00 EST

Question: I suffere from medium empysema and the last six months I have a lot of pressure in the bust area and under my ribcage it is like a dull pressure, my breathing is not particularly good but I do push myself to keep moving, but this pressure which sometime pulses is worrying me.

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. On this site, we try to answer general questions but cannot diagnose or recommend treatment. Only a health professional performing a thorough clinical exam is able to evaluate your symptoms and discuss your case specifically.

I will offer that emphysem . . .

Ask an Expert: Michael Ezzie MD, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Cardiopulmonary Stress Tests

Michael Ezzie MD — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:09:00 EST

Question: If someone is sent for further testing because desats and cardiac changes showed up on a treadmill, why would the testing center choose to use a stationary bike instead of the treadmill? I was told both were exactly the same and would produce the same results but also told they felt it was "saf . . .

Answer: The most recent statement from the American Thoracic Society and American College of Chest Physicians on Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing was published in 2003 and can be found at http://www.thoracic.or . . .

Ask an Expert: Michael Ezzie MD, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Corticosteroids in COPD

Gerene Bauldoff RN, PhD, FCCP — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:09:00 EST

Question: Why is oral prednisone used in the treatment of COPD rather than other steroids? How does cortisone and prednisone differ?�

Answer: Hydrocortisone, methylprednisilone (medrol) and prednisone are all coriticosteroids.� They have essentially the same effects and side effects.� Medrol and prednisone are longer-acting than hydrocortisone and are commonly used in COPD treatment.� Medrol causes less water and sodium retention than the . . .

Ask an Expert: Gerene Bauldoff RN, PhD, FCCP, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)