Do I REALLY have lung disease?

I belong to a lot of online discussion forums, the participants being patients with lung disease. Many of them tell the story of how they thought they just had a lingering cold, went to the ER when they couldn’t breathe, and were told they have COPD or another chronic lung disease process. They were shocked to find out they actually had pneumonia, needed antibiotics, fluids, and rest, and that upon discharge, they were to go for lots of pulmonary testing to confirm a diagnosis. Many got told right there in the ER they have COPD, just on the evaluation of their chest X ray , breath sounds, and Blood Gas test results. And the majority say they can’t believe it….. they just thought they were out of shape, getting older, or both. One key to diagnosing COPD is two criteria that happen together: lingering symptoms AND changes in one’s lifestyle. For example, a cold or cough that doesn’t go away, plus the fact that this person hasn’t been able to climb more than 5 stairs without becoming breathless in over a year. In today’s society where we are always in a hurry, it takes time and effort to seek out the stairwell when the elevator or escalator is right there in front of us. Even if the stairs are right next to the escalator, we go the easy route. When I ask my patients if they could climb a full flight of stairs, I often get a funny look…. and “Gee, I don’t know, I haven’t tried”! Same thing for walking around the block, or parking in the farthest parking spot and walking to the entrance of the grocery store. We substitute convenience for challenging ourselves and getting in just a little more mileage. Next thing you know, you don’t even try anymore, it seems like too much effort. If you recognize yourself in any of this, please go get a checkup from your doctor, especially if you previously smoked or are still smoking. COPD, if diagnosed early, can be managed well. Best case scenario, you just need more exercise………