Does anyone know if mild to moderate emphysema can be very painful. Is it possible that there may be another?
457598
Emphysema falls under the umbrella term of "COPD", which stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Other diseases that fall under this umbrella include asthma, chronic bronchitis, etc. \n\nWhen one's breathing is comprimised, that means that they are not getting enough oxygen into their body's tissues. That, in turn, can make the heart try to compensate by working harder to provide more oxygen. So, sometimes this can cause pain for a number of reasons. The alveoli in the lungs of a person with emphysema are not working properly, the heart may be overworking and the nerves may be more hypersensitive to messages of pain.\n\nHowever, if you are concerned, because he has had unremitting chest/neck/arm pain for 3 years, than I think that it is perfectly reasonable to see a cardiologist for an opinion regarding his heart.\n\nI hope this helps.
929294
i have just posted my question on on hear titile (emphysema question? )\nps just noticed i forgot to say im stage 2\n\nbig hiiiiiiii to you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
847913
My pain started in my right butt cheek and went down the back of my calf. It got progressively worse until I was literally paralyzed. I was on the 7th floor of a nice hotel and they ended up having to take me out on a luggage cart. (a first for me sober) The pain can go all the way to your heel. The pain can get so bad you will be willing to try witchcraft or drink gasoline if someone tells you it will make it feel better.
1060464
WOW  My Friend you said it.I'm a heavy smoker.I started at 13,I'm now 68.I ant to quit because I have had 2 hart attacks and a stroke. that is the only reason.I couldn't care less about the non-smokers.If they don't like it just don't breath while I'm smoking. nice to hear someone s on my side in this issue
197853
I cannot find any information that links COPD with TB. Sorry.
408158
Yes, smaller doses act as a bronchial dialator.  When you smoke heavily, it acts in the oppostie way and irritaites the breathing way.  I have asthma and it did help IN SMALL DOSES.  I had a problem limiting myself becasue I wouldn't get high with the smaller doses though
512034
I smoked for over 40 years and now I am suffering from something they call EMPHYSEMA, and I am on oxygen to help me breath. I discourage anyone who whats to take up the habit to really think it over. Do you really want to get up coughing in the mornings or wonder where your next smoke is coming from when you run out. No matches and you got to have a smoke no one around with fie to light your smoke up you get to where you think you will climb the wall. I can go on and on but I think you get the picture.
913291
its fairly common especially in young, thin, smokers......or patients with emphysema
580151
I once had something close to your injury.  It hurt to breathe, but I was able to still workout.  Just like you I could only inhale so much air before it hurt.  My chiropractor told me my "rib was out."  I let him adjust me, and it was instantly better.  If you don't believe in chiropractors, then I would definitely follow up with my doctor.  Your lungs need to expand, so breath as much as you can!  I think it is fine to use your arm on that side of your body, but if possible keep the chest wrap on.  Unfortunately for the ribs and surrounding muscles, you have to wait for them to heal.  If your pain is still severe go back to the doctor and make him/her give you something stronger for the pain, and maybe even suggest an MRI???
304284
WHAT IS EMPHYSEMA?\n\nEmphysema is a condition in which the walls between the alveoli or air sacs within the lung lose their ability to stretch and recoil. The air sacs become weakened and break.  Elasticity of the lung tissue is lost, causing air to be trapped in the air sacs and impairing the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Also, the support of the airways is lost, allowing for airflow obstruction.\n\n  \nEarly symptoms include shortness of breath and cough.  \nSymptoms of emphysema include shortness of breath, cough and a limited exercise tolerance. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis frequently co-exist together to comprise chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD does not include other obstructive lung diseases such as asthma.\n\nI'm a Respiratory Therapist. If you have more questions, please feel free to email me @ mike.marlow@yahoo.com
1119748
Everyone is right, it is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a catch all for emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma.\n\nIt is serious but not necessarily a death sentence. While it can be treated, it cannot be cured. With good medical care and monitoring ..it is possible to slow the progression of the disease.\n\nI don't know if it can be controlled with natural remedies. I, myself, am on Prednisone, Spiriva, Advair 250/50 and Xopenex via nebulizer 4 times a day as needed.\nI would be afraid to try any natural remedies because of the seriousness of COPD.\n\nYour Pulmonologist or Dr probably needs to do a Pulmonary Function test. Mine revealed a 58% lung capacity. Except for alot of shortness of breath..I still hold down a full time job--it is :however, a sit down job. There is some housework I cannot do and there are times...when just getting ready for work tires me out and leaves me breathless.\n\nYou will also notice that any respiratory virus that goes around will inevitably find it's way to you and go straight down into your chest...so if it is possible....avoid those who are sick.\n\nMost importantly---listen to your body. If you are short of breath..it is saying slow down and take it easy... Learn Pursed Lip breathing and get to the Dr at the first sign of a respiratory bug...there is nothing worse than ending up in the hospital with pneumonia or an exacerbation of COPD.\n\n~~Good Luck~~\n\nHere is a link to COPD International.\nYou might want to check the msg boards here, you can learn alot.\n\nhttp://www.copd-international.com/
961571
well chest pain regardless of age sex you should really see a doctor. \n you mentioned asthma and said you didnt think that was the cause . i say dont rule it out . when asthma is flarring up muscles that dont normally work at making the lungs go kick in so we call then auxiarly muscles. the pain and place you mention is just the right place for the aux. muscles to be working . \n you might have a silent weez that is a big deal dont panic but it is sighted as the main cause of asthma deaths for people that have medication for asthma. \n if you have this you have a swelling on the inside of the chest tubes and not on the outside. the ventolin puffer often now called a resuce inhaler treats the asthma only in part . it does not treat the swelling of the tubes. after a time without additional drugs most often a steriod med the tubes just fail and the person often will die from this . \n so even though you dont hear a weez dont think asthma is not in play infact without complete treatment of asthma and just the use of ventolin asthma is very deadly. this was noted after ventolin first became so widely used . all of a sudden asthma deaths shot way up. its only in the last 5 years or so that doctors  have become fully aware of the silent weez . \n what ever the case is if this does not go away now then see the doctor and if it gets worse or your using more of the puffer then you normally do go to the emergency room and skip waiting for an appointment. \n good luck and try to relax
721045
Could be Costchondritis, inflammation of the connecting tissue of the ribs to the breast bone.  The pain can be unbelievably sharp, I know, as I had it, cleared up in about six weeks.  Stress can probably make it worse from tensing chest muscles and aggravating already inflamed areas.  Don't know your age or general medical condition, but maybe you should call your doctor's office, tell them a brief description, and see if the doc wants you to come in.  Such sharp pains are rarely heart related.  It's important that your breathing is okay other than if the sharp pain interferes with inhaling.  Use your good judgement.
712207
Make sure that u dnt hav any lung disease.\nU mush hav hurt sme where on ur chest n forgot, may b.\nIf both sides of ur rib cages hurt it means its nt localized problem. Its a generalized problem causing pain in ur rib cage.\n\nThere may b pulmonary oedema, osteoporosis, heart disease etc....\n\nIts impossible 2 diagnose, what exactly its 4m!   \nIt needs personal appointment with ur doc. \n\nPain r of many types. Which type of pain do u feel? Which all areas r involved. \nBy just saying ribl cage there r millions of causes....\n\n\nBetter u go 2 ur doc......\n\nGod Bless!.......
1124699
In the RN program we were taught that COPD can be caused by embolisms resulting from obesity. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
1074743
My mom has emphysema.  She was doing pulmonary rehab which helped her tremendously.  Unfortunately, she hated it and quit going.
110232
It's hard to tell what they actually meant, but this sounds like it could be related to emphysema.  Emphysema is associated with lungs that trap air, causing a more transparent, inflated appearance on X-ray.  This finding could be inconsequential, or it could eventually lead to shortness of breath with or without exercise.  It should be looked into.  Avoid smoke and other irritants for sure.  If it's a young person, they might check on the possibility of an inherited condition that could cause premature emphysema (alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, for example).  \n\nThis is really a shot in the dark.  Good luck!