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| Emphysema Diagnosis |
Question:
How does one diagnose emphysema?
Answer:
When a patient complains of the chronic presence of the symptoms of
emphysema, a physical exam and various lung capacity tests are done to
confirm the diagnosis. Chest x-rays may also be performed, but are
only informative for moderate to later stages of emphysema.
With emphysema it becomes harder and
harder for the lungs to function, causing one or more of the following
symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Increasing difficulty exercising
- Great difficulty exhaling
- Chronic coughing
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Chest pain
- Persistent swelling of feet and ankles (this is a sign that your
lungs aren't functioning properly)
- Weight loss
* The need to sleep on more pillows than usual in order to breathe
at night
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