:( Someone I know has emphysema, she has had it for five yrs.. She won't stop smoking and is on an inhaler. She gets out of breath climbing stairs very easily and she is only 43 yrs old. How long will she live like this?

:( Someone I know has emphysema, she has had it for five yrs.. She won't stop smoking and is on an inhaler. She gets out of breath climbing stairs very easily and she is only 43 yrs old. How long will she live like this?
Unfortunately there is no good news regarding emphysema and she is much too young to be afflicted with this chronic condition. Here is an overview of the disease and what it means. I think it will answer your question.

Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lung that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the lung tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lung are destroyed. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD (pulmonary refers to the lungs). Emphysema is called an obstructive lung disease because the destruction of lung tissue around smaller airways, called bronchioles, makes these airways unable to hold their shape properly when you exhale.

This group of diseases ranks as the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Unlike heart disease and other more common causes of death, the death rate for COPD appears to be rising.

Yes, emphysema is a terminal condition. It is not reversible, although there are things the person can do to take better care of themselves. Such as following the doctor's orders - no smoking, developing an exercise plan, eating well, etc.

How long can your friend live with emphysema? I cannot say - no one has a predicted time of death. Her doctor is the best one to say, as he(or she) knows your friend's condition. Could be a year, two years, and it could be six months.

There was another thread about emphysema, maybe you would find some helpful information in reading that:
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/death-dying/can-emphysema-kill-128581.html?highlight=emphysema

Mmm I actually thought that there was some research on emphysema, in that it is reversible--I'll investigate this and get back to you.


Okay I was wrong...


Emphysema is an irreversible degenerative condition. The most important measure that can be taken to slow the progression of emphysema is for the patient to stop smoking and avoid all exposure to cigarette smoke and lung irritants. Pulmonary rehabilitation can be very helpful to optimize the patient's quality of life and teach the patient how to actively manage his or her care. Emphysema is also treated by supporting the breathing with anticholinergics, bronchodilators and (inhaled or oral) steroid medication, and supplemental oxygen as required. Treating the patient's other conditions including gastric reflux and allergies may also improve lung function. Supplemental oxygen used as prescribed (20+ hours/day) is the only non-surgical treatment which has been shown to prolong life in emphysema patients. Other medications are being researched. There are lightweight portable oxygen systems which allow patients increased mobility. Patients fly, cruise, and work while using supplemental oxygen.

Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) can improve the quality of life for certain carefully selected patients. It can be done by several different methods, some of which are minimally invasive. In July of 2006 a new treatment, placing tiny valves in passages leading to diseased lung areas, was announced to have good results- but 7% of patients suffered from partial lung collapse. The only known "cure" for emphysema is a lung transplant, although few patients are strong enough physically to survive the surgery. The combination of a patient's age, oxygen deprivation and the side-effects of the medications used to treat emphysema cause damage to the kidneys, heart and other organs. Transplants also require the patient to take an anti-rejection drug regimen which suppresses the immune system and creates other medical problems.

If you are talking early detection, then yes, there is some research saying that emphysema can be reversed. However, the caveat here is that early detection is a great thing, but people do not go to the doctor in those early stages because the symptoms rarely occur in the early and reversible stages. By the time the person gets to the doctor and receives the diagnosis, emphysema is not reversible.

The early symptoms can include mild coughing, loss of appetite, fatigue and those are common symptoms of many condotions. People often ignore them.

Emphysema - MedicaLook (http://www.medicalook.com/Lung_diseases/Emphysema.html)

My grandmama has been living with emphysema for many years now. A few years ago (when it got to the point where she needed a breating machine) she finally gave up smoking and I'm very proud of her. I guess the life-span for each individual is different, though. You're friend MUST quit smoking if she wants to live longer. If she quits now, she might be able to add a few years to her life.