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NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
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NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
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COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) |
Emphysema01/31/2008 |
My dad`s doctor just told him that he has the early stages of emphysema. He has been a smoker for many years and just got a prescription for chantix. I was just wondering if he is successful with the chantix and does quit smoking will the stages of emphysema reverse? If not will it greatly reduce the chance of him being in a wheel chair with oxygen? Also, what may be a few things he could do to help with the early stages of this disease? Thank you so much.
If your father is successful with Chantix, and we hope he will be, it can greatly slow down the progression of emphysema. Although there is no cure for emphysema, if he is at an early stage and stops smoking he may live quite a long time and may not have progressive disease (ie. never be in a wheelchair or need oxygen).
Things that are helpful with maintaining his pulmonary health in addition to smoking cessation would be:
- staying away from other lung irritants such as pollution, dust, and certain cooking or heating fumes
- regular exercise
- eating healthy
- maintaining a healthy weight
- yearly flu vaccine
- pneumococcal vaccine
- and keeping appointments with your father's treating physician to monitor progress.
Thank you for your question.
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Gretchen Whitby, APRN Nurse Practitioner of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease College of Medicine The Ohio State University |
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Phillip T Diaz, MD Professor of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine College of Medicine The Ohio State University |
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