Mild emphysema

Dear Ask The Doctor: Following a CT scan, I have been diagnosed with mild upper lobe emphysema and I a 40 year old female, I gave up smoking 15 years ago and I am worried about my life expectancy.

Dear Syd:

This condition occurs when the air sacs at the ends of your smallest air passages (bronchioles) are gradually destroyed. Smoking is the leading cause of emphysema.

Air pollution or a respiratory infection can lead to an acute COPD exacerbation, with extreme shortness of breath and dangerously low oxygen levels, you will need to take care of your lungs and avoid all the possible irritants, you have already stopped smoking which is the most important step.

If in the near future, you notice shortness of breath; your doctor might probably evaluate your prognosis and prescribe you bronchodilators, steroids up to oxygen in more severe stages.