Emphysema

[genthon]

Does anyone know whether this in itself would cause weight loss?

[sqad617]

There is no reason that I can think of that emphysema should cause weight loss.

[campbellking]

Patients with emphysema are often thinner because they require relatively more effort to perform basic tasks such as walking, therefore have higher calorific demands. As the effort (and increased breathlessness) in preparing food is quite taxing, quite often these patients do not feed themselves well, and can be malnourished.

[NoMercy]

My friend has this and has lost a fair bit of weight.

[garner]

My sister in law has it and she is weighty, but then again she has meals prepared for her.

[sqad617]

I like campbelking's answer better than mine.

[daffy654]

I have emphysema and am quite thin...mind you I was always thin even before my illness.

Emphysema causes weight loss mostly because it is very difficult to eat and breathe adequately at the same time,sufferers need to eat smaller amounts as it becomes very tiring to eat.Also a full belly causes your diaphragm to be less able to contract and expand which also causes breathlessness.

[genthon]

Thank you very much for all your answers. I am very concerned about a friend who has been diagnosed with emphysema but doesn't seem to think this is anything to do with his weight loss. He has lost two stone since September. He is retired so therefore does not live a pressurised lifestyle anymore. He still lives his normal lifestyle and is still able to garden which he loves but says he feels terrible when he wakes up in the morning and has no stamina. He does not have such a good appetite as he once had and notice he rarely clears his plate which he always did previously. He is sure this weight loss is due to something else as yet undiagnosed and is not to do with the emphysema. What a worry!!

[daffy654]

"The most recognized symptom of emphysema is breathlessness. This can be accompanied by a cough that can be brought on by the smallest amount of action. Simply laughing or talking can make the person breathless. There may also be discomfort after a meal because the lungs have expanded. Sometimes this can result in loss of appetite and resultant weight loss."

Taken from this article:
http://www.submityourarticle.com/articles/Anne -Wolski-703/emphysema-4442.php

[genthon]

Thank you for that reference Daffy. Very informative

[sqad617]

genthon....is this a recent diagnosis and made by a Consultant Physician?

[genthon]

Fairly recent. My friend was warned about emphysema and the dangers of continuing to smoke several years ago. During that time he has been stopping and starting, Thankfully at this moment in time he has stopped!! He is very concerned about his rapid weight loss. At the present time he is waiting to see a consultant.

[sqad617]

OK..so it may well be that his emphysema is not the onle problem and was diagnosed by his GP.

Wait until his consultation with the Consultant before you put his weight loss down to his emphysema.