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iwuntmcdonalds · Aug 25, 2007, 11:30 PM

My mom has been smoking since she was 15 and she's almost 50. She smokes at least two packs a day sometimes more. She refuses to quit and won't listen to anyone. She has bad emphysema.. can she die from it?

JDW1889 · Aug 31, 2007, 06:15 PM

I don't know but if she doesn't stop soon she will die. My Grandpa was strong and he smoked and died when he was in his 50s.

shygrneyzs · Aug 31, 2007, 06:23 PM

Yes, she can die from this. It is a very painful death too - the person cannot catch their breath, has great difficulty breathing, develops lung infections easily, and most likely will be on home oxygen in their future. In emphysema, the lung tissues are destroyed. Those tissues support the physical shape and function of the lungs. When the tissue is lost to disease, there go the lungs too. Emphysema is the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S.

It is no laughing matter for certain. If you Mom quit smoking now, some of that damage can be reversed. There are medications one can take plus the adapting to a healthy lifestyle.

You can read more about Emphysema on:
Emphysema - MayoClinic.com
Search LungUSA - American Lung Association site

CaptainRich · Aug 31, 2007, 06:29 PM

A combination of smoking and emphysema took my Mom... much too soon
Do what ever you have to do.
One of the most revealing things is pictures of the lungs of someone who's already sucummbed to the results... definitely not pretty

Fr_Chuck · Aug 31, 2007, 08:10 PM

Smoking can add and harm the problem, working with patients with breathing issues, the silliest thing I see ( and dangerous) are many of my patients who hold their oxygen hose in one hand, so they can take a puff with the other hand.

But people will not stop unless they want to, they basically don't care and prefer smoking over health issues.

shygrneyzs · Aug 31, 2007, 08:23 PM

I worked with many people with various lung conditions, who smoked until the very end. Their philosophy was that since the disease was going to kill them anyway, why not at least enjoy the last cigarette? Makes no sense, does it? Sad thing, they never did enjoy that last cigarette and I honestly do not think they could have stopped, even if they had wanted to. Some had smoked for over 50 years.

CaptainRich · Aug 31, 2007, 08:49 PM

Bizarre! The gub subsidizes tobacco and the subsidizes healthcare...
Thing's don't add up. Smokes ought to be eliminated.
They seem to only benefit the growers and then the medical guy's that fight the results.