Breathing difficulties cause long-standing cough

January 24, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My wife has COPD/emphysema. She is under the care of a well-respected pulmonologist. He told her when she was first diagnosed that coughing would be a forever symptom of the disease. However, when she coughs, many times during the course of the day, she will cough for several minutes at a time while trying to loosen and bring up phlegm. We’ve discussed this issue with the pulmonologist and he recommended a decongestant/cough medicine like Robitussin DM. It doesn’t seem to help so I was wondering if you know of any home remedies that can better help loosen the phlegm and allow her to expel it. Thank you.

DEAR READER: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a term to describe a group of lung conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
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Is painful biopsy necessary for ex-smoker?

June 26, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 60-year-old female. After smoking for 40 years, I was finally able to stop. Now I suffer from many illnesses caused by my smoking — emphysema, asthma, COPD and bulla disease.

My white blood count has been high for years, and a year ago I was referred to an oncologist, who promptly performed a bone-marrow biopsy. My count has been in the 15,000 to 17,000 range but never higher than 22,000. The oncologist wants to do another biopsy. He doesn’t say exactly what he is looking for but implies that it might be leukemia.
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Emphysema patient seeks help

March 13, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I’m a 72-year-old female with emphysema. I am on level 3 oxygen 24/7. My medications are a Combivent inhaler, steroid inhaler and 300 milligrams of theophylline. Do you know of anything more that would help me breathe easier, either holistic or otherwise? Are there foods I should avoid or that I should eat?

DEAR READER: Emphysema results from damage to the airways of the lungs, obstructing the flow of air on exhalation. Symptoms are exercise intolerance, loss of appetite, fatigue and shortness of breath. The most common cause for the condition is smoking. Smoke temporarily paralyzes the cilia (microscopic hairs) that line the bronchial tubes. [Read more...]

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Emphysema Not Curable

February 22, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have emphysema. When I walk a short distance I am out of breath. I have to stop, sit and wait until I get all my breath back before going on. At home I am on 15 liters of oxygen and when I go out I have to use a tank on wheels that only goes up to 10 liters. I take nine pills every day. I was told I had one blocked lung so my doctor prescribed Viagra which I have to take six times a day.

I don’t do much at home but really feel good. I don’t even have chest pain. I have been to the hospital five times but only for three or four days at a time to have tests. They told me it was to check my lungs and heart valves.

I started smoking when I was 14 but quit in 1982. As long as I take all my medicine, use the oxygen and don’t get out of breath, I‘m okay. I am still able to work in the yard raking leaves. I always work slowly and use my oxygen. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

January 1, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
In May 2006 I had a stent implanted in my heart. Since that time I have had shortness of breath. I also occasionally have to stop and take one or several deep breaths which doing a variety of activities such as bending over, carrying light loads (up to about 10 pounds), going up and down stairs, and many more.

When I visited my heart specialist following my surgery and told him about the situation, he would only say it was anxiety. He continued to ignore my list of incidences and maintained it was anxiety. I have had anxiety before on various occasions such as when my car was totaled but I never had to stop and take deep breaths. I explained that this only began after my stent surgery and that I thought it was something other than anxiety.

Should I ask for a second opinion or is this normal after receiving a stent? Do I just have to live with it?

I have had a “chemical” thallium chloride stress test. To quote from my family doctor’s report it said “No definite evidence for ischemia on today’s examination”. I hope this helps you to help me.

DEAR READER:
Shortness of breath can be a sign of ineffective contractions of the heart muscle, known as congestive heart failure. It can also reflect anemia and lung problems such as blood clots, emphysema and other disorders. Although your heart workup was normal, I believe that you need further testing and agree that a second opinion is in order. Ask your family doctor to refer you to an internal medicine specialist.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Coronary Artery Disease”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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