Emphysema (cont.)

When to Seek Medical Care

If you have new or worsening shortness of breath, seek medical attention from your doctor. Shortness of breath can occur with other diseases, particularly heart disease and other lung diseases, so it is important not to overlook or minimize this symptom. A gradual decrease in the ability to exercise or perform daily activities, a persistent cough, and wheezing also suggest a visit to the doctor.

Because cigarette smoking is such a dangerous risk factor for emphysema, you may also wish to contact your doctor for help with making a plan to quit smoking, even in the absence of shortness of breath or other symptoms. Doctors can offer you many options to help you stop smoking. The support from a doctor may make the process easier than doing it alone. Many recent studies have shown that up to 25% of smokers may have COPD and not know it.

Shortness of breath should always be taken seriously, especially if it comes on suddenly or if it gets worse over a relatively short period of time; this situation is usually considered a medical emergency so medical care should be sought immediately.

• If you know you have emphysema, go to the hospital's emergency department with any new, severe, or worsening shortness of breath. The inability to speak in full sentences may be a sign of shortness of breath.
  
  
• Any hint of the lips, tongue, fingernails, or skin turning a shade of blue should prompt a visit to the hospital's emergency department. This sign, called cyanosis, can indicate severe worsening of your lung condition.
  
  
• The failure of shortness of breath to improve or worsening shortness of breath in spite of home medications can indicate the need for emergency department care.
  
  
• A new or worsening cough can be a sign of an infection, such as pneumonia, and should prompt a timely visit to a primary care physician or a hospital's emergency department for evaluation. Increased sputum production may also be a sign of infection. Infections make emphysema worse and can lead to long-term problems.