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Hi my father says he was diagnosed with Emphysema in 1951 whilst doing his National Service, he his now 90, is this possible ?

Rotherman profile image
11 Replies

Could you be diagnosed with emphysema at 20 years old and still be alive at 90?

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Rotherman profile image
Rotherman
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11 Replies

Yes I think it is possible for some.

My step grandfather was diagnosed with emphysema when he was a baker during the war years, breathing bread flour in daily, he was in his 36th year if I remember correctly, he did smoke outside of working hours continued into his 80s. He lived till he was 93, his lungs were shot in the end though.

I have known others, diagnosed in their 50s who continued to smoke and didn't make it to 60 years though.

Hope your father is breathing ok.

Rotherman profile image
Rotherman in reply to

My father has never had any symptoms or medication and he's basing his "Diagnosis" on an Army medical he had 70 years ago, plus he has not had any time off work through it.

Rotherman profile image
Rotherman in reply toRotherman

He also smoked from his teens up until he was 55.

in reply toRotherman

Could be he stopped smoking just in time. Great he had no symptoms and never off sick. Unknown of course if his diagnosis was accurate.

Rotherman profile image
Rotherman in reply to

He's always been a bit of a Hypochondriac so personally I think the Army medic was wrong, the same medic also told him he had a heart murmur at the same time 70 years ago and this has since been proved incorrect. lol

in reply toRotherman

If your Dad did have respiratory probs at the time it likely would have shown a indication on the heart. I don't know about your Dad but if he was exposed to CS gas as I once was, this is known to cause respiratory problems.

Not really sure why you are asking here. Doing so will not necessarily prove or disprove the military medic was wrong, you can't we can't either.

Its great your Dad has no symptoms, just be thankful for that.

Badbessie profile image
Badbessie

In medicine you always get the exception. Yes it could be possible.

Superzob profile image
Superzob

Yes, because life expectancy is based on averages or, to be more accurate, a “normal” range - there will always be people who “beat the odds”, and your father may well be one of those, and good luck to him!

Nicholatracy profile image
Nicholatracy

I don’t see why not. A little hope for all us lunges 🐞

Nicholatracy profile image
Nicholatracy

That would be lungies. 🐞

2ndtenor profile image
2ndtenor

60 years with bronchiectasis I have no idea why

My late wife was healthier than me but sadly passed away after 46 years married life and at 77 years old now I don’t think I will ever know the answer

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