COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Non Progressive Emphysema 08/24/2010

Question:

When one has stopped smoking and living a healthy lifestyle can the or will the non progressive Emphysema eventually become Emphysema full blown, especially as patient has also got Fibrosing Alveolitis

Answer:

Smoking cessation is the most important step in slowing down the progression of emphysema. 

Although the presence of fibrosis in the lungs does not turn "mild emphysema" into "full blown emphysema," it could have a negative effect on progression of the disease and symptoms in some patients.

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Response by:

Mahasti Rittinger, RRT Clinical Program Manager of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep College of Medicine The Ohio State University