Lung Volumes

[Eye_]

Following the various comments about lung volume here is a chart which shows all the different volumes which can be measured by spirometry.

Its the results from these tests which can explain lots of things about respiratory function. They can also be used to look at how a disease such as asthma or COPD is progressing.

[andi22]

Hmmmmm, so that clears that query up then. I think my capacity must have gone up considering that monster hill I ran up last week without stopping.

[Friezfriend 13 MONTHS WINNER in reply to andi22]

Flipping heck, running, up hills? i wish I could!

[Friezfriend 13 MONTHS WINNER]

Been back to the docs today as becoming increasingly breathless, she has given me more antibiotics and steroids and sent off a sample to the microbiology lab. When I spoke to the docs receptionist she said so many people seem to get ill when they give up smoking this is roughly the 4th week of all this grot. Is this true Eye? When I first stopped my breathing became so much easier until the Virus hit.

[Eye_]

Hi Freizefriend,

first of all you need to listen to what your doctor says as he /she knows you best. Its true that often long term smokers do feel their chest is worse when they first give up. This is because smoking masks a lot of things but more importantly, your chest starts to work in the way it should, the cilia(hair like structures in the lungs) wake up and do their job of wafting secretions up in your lungs so you can cough them up and clear your chest. Your GP has given you antibiotics which will help you clear any infection and although you feel you are worse you are actually on the road to recovery.

I have known ex smokers who have coughed up black flecks in their sputum as long as two years after they have given up smoking, that's just an indication of how long the body can take to rid the effects of smoking.

The sputum specimen will be grown to show what antibiotics the infection is most likely to succumb to so your doctor can really tailor your medication to your specific problem. The steroids are anti inflammatory drugs which again will give your body a blast of drug which will ease any inflammation in your lungs, that helps open the airways and makes breathing easier. Your doctor is giving you the maximum he /she can to attack this infection.

The best thing you can do is keep off the cigarettes and take your medication exactly as prescribed.

You will get better and things will improve, I knows its hard, but hang in there.

Eye x

[yellowsnowdrop]

Get well soon Friezefriend.As an ex practice nurse the advice Eye has given is terrific and that together with the help of your G.P.Will get you thru this.If it's any consolation my breathing has been a bit iffy but I'm asthmatic anyway.I just use my inhaler and things get better, it's very scary tho,just hang on in there and all will be well.

[Eye_ in reply to yellowsnowdrop]

Thanks YSD

[Friezfriend 13 MONTHS WINNER]

Thanks, that's clearer, oddly don't really feel ill any more just really breathless, thanks for the information Eye and Yellow that's helpful.

[andi22 in reply to Friezfriend]

I was fortunate enough to not have any breathing problems before or after I gave up but did notice some breathlessness on exertion for well over a year after I quit. Now, nearly 18 months later, I do feel that my lungs have improved considerably. It just takes time but you will get there.

[Eye_]

Your breathlessness will ease with the steroids and even more when the antibiotics kick in.