a smoker, comes to see his doctor because he has a persistent cough and becomes short of breath after very little exertion. Physical examination shows that Omar has a barrel chest and a red face. Omar explains that it is difficult for him to exhale but not to inhale.
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. By his symptoms, history and barrel shaped chest, possibility of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is more in his case. It is progressive disease of lungs. Cigarette smoking is the biggest risk factor for this. So he should definitely quit smoking as soon as possible. Other treatment options are as follows. 1. Enroll him in pulmonary rehabilitation center where chest physiotherapy any deep breathing exercises are done. 2. Consult pulmonologist and get done PFT (pulmonary function test) to rule know the severity of the disease. Treatment is based on severity only. He will need inhaled bronchodilator (formoterol order albuterol) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) (budesonide or fluticasone). 3. Give him adult respiratory vaccines like influenza and pneumococcal to prevent recurrent respiratory tract infection. So consult pulmonologist and discuss all these. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing him good health. Thanks.