COPD diagnosis at age twenty-three.

Dear Ask The Doctor: I am twenty three yrs old i have seen a lung doctor and i am getting frustrated he has told me i have COPD, they did the alpha1 blood test and that came back negative, i was going through my medical records and have my spirometry tests back from it and my doctor will not sit down and thoroughly talk to me about what is going on with me i cant perform my daily duties like i used to i have 2 young kids can it really be COPD The FEV1FVC under pre meas is 65 and post meas is 71 but on my trials when i did the test under the same FEV1FVC is trial 1 65 trial 2 66 and trial3 61 for pre and post is 71 and 65 can someone please let me know what is going on IS it even COPD

Dear Nicole:

I understand your concern about COPD. This term refers to a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it increasingly difficult for you to breathe. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two main conditions that make up COPD, but COPD can also refer to damage caused by chronic asthmatic bronchitis. However sometimes COPD has the same characteristics as Asthma and can be confused.

Most COPD is caused by long-term smoking and can be prevented by not smoking or quitting soon after you start.  According to the tests, when the relation from FEV1/FVC1 results in less than 80%, the diagnosis of an obstructive lung pattern is made such as your case, with that being said we can assume that you have an obstructive pattern ( COPD ) or Asthma.

I see that you are taking medication to help you breathe better; I would suggest you to comply with them and follow your Pneumologists instructions, also avoid allergens such as dust, perfumes, and carpets in your room that might trigger or increase your asthmatic condition. Because of your age, I would suggest you to have an allergy test to rule out Asthma. I wish you a prompt recovery.