hyper inflated lungs

[Ixtapa]

I am 70 yearsold.  I have had a severe cold for three weeks - it continues.

I have been to the doctor twice.  I am now on my third set of antibiotics which I began Tuesday.  

He listened to my lungs and found them clear.  In order to be certain, he requested an x ray.  The radiologist indicated "hyper - inflated lungs."

My doctor said this shows some emphasema.  I was a smoker for 42 years;  I quit 5 years ago.

I am concerned about the lingering cold, the fatique, a tightness in my chest and this sign of emphasema.


What further steps may I take to rid myself of the cold?  How serious is the hyper inflated lungs?  (I do not have shortness of breath.)

I am also a diabetic;  my blood sugar readings are in the 150 range; this is considerably higher than my normal readings.  Is this due to the cold?  That's what I was told by the doctor and his nurse.

[norqueza]

A related discussion, suspicious infiltrates was started.

[chrysanthemum]

i took an xray for medical exam last year, the result recommends me to take an apicolordotic view. so then i took and to my surprise, i have learned that i have minimal ptb. i also took sputum test and the result was negative. but still, i undergone medical treatment for 6 mos., then on the 7th month, i took xray test again and the result is quite good except the part that says "both lung fields are hyperinflated", what does it mean? i never smoke, i don't have difficulty in breathing except some backpains. we were working at the office 12 hrs. almost everyday, and i usually go out every weekends, so basically, i don't really have much time to rest. i've researched on the web until i found your site and read some in your forum. does it mean i have emphysema too? what are the usual symptoms of it? pls advise! thanks very much in advance =)

[National Jewish]

Many people seem to be having longer-lasting colds this winter.  Sinusitis is a condition that can appear as a longer-than-usual cold.  Let your doctor know if you are having yellow or green nasal or postnasal drainage.  Although your lungs sound clear your doctor had you go for a chest x-ray to be sure that you do not have pneumonia.

Hyperinflation of the lungs is a sign of emphysema or asthma.  Greater than 95% of hyperinflation is due to either emphysema or asthma.  Shortness of breath is a common complaint with emphysema, but not everyone with emphysema has shortness of breath.  Inhaled bronchodilators can decrease hyperinflation and lessen shortness of breath.

While hyperinflation on a chest x-ray may suggest emphysema, it does not specifically determine that it is emphysema.  Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are the best way to know if the problem is emphysema.  Check with your doctor to be sure that what you are experiencing is a lingering cold and not a flare of emphysema.

When you quit smoking 5 years ago you did the most important thing that you can do for yourself.  The hope is that you quit smoking before there was permanent damage to your lungs.  Emphysema progresses 3 times faster in those who continue to smoke compared with those who never smoke again.

Any illness, especially an infection, can make diabetes more difficult to control.  This is a time when you should work closely with your doctor and nurse regarding a plan to control of your diabetes better.