Suggest treatment for COPD and asthma
Patient: I caught a cold or allergy the other day now it is in my chest. I cannot cough anything very well. I have COPD and asthma. I have taken a breathing treatment three times today, as well my regular 2 times per day inhaler. I am still having a hard time breathing . My pulse is 122. Should I give it a couple of days to see if it passes, or go ahead and go in now? Doctor: Thanks for your question on HCM.By your history and description, I think you are having COPD overlap syndrome.I advice you to consult pulmonologist and get done1. Chest x ray2. PFT (pulmonary function test).Uncontrolled disease can be due to untreated or recurrent infection. So chest x ray is needed to rule out infection.PFT is needed to know the severity of the disease. And treatment is based on severity only.Along with inhalers I think you should follow these things too for better symptomatic relief.1. Enroll in pulmonary rehabilitation center where chest physiotherapy and deep breathing exercise are done.2. Get done adult pulmonary vaccination with pneumpcoccal and influenza to prevent future infection.So consult pulmonologist and discuss all these