Alright, so I'm 13 years old. I have been a second-hand smoker my whole life. My mom smoked when she was pregnant with me and breast-feeding me. Both my parents chain-smoked around me my whole life until when I turned 10 my mom finally quit, but my dad didn't. My dad still chain-smoked around me for 3 more years until just yesterday he was diagnosed with emphysema and now has to quit. Am I at serious risk for a lung disease? I have never been able to run long-distances because I run out of breath so quick. When I do run for awhile I have to stop and I wheeze and cough. One day a couple months ago I woke up in the morning and could barely breath for no reason. My chest felt like it was burning and I couldn't even stand up because it hurt so bad. Everytime I coughed I felt like I was getting stabbed in the chest. And I was fine the night before. I needed to go to the hospital or something, but my mom wouldn't take me. She made me take motrin and go back to bed. Whenever I laugh hard I run out of breath and start coughing. I think I have asthma but my parents say I don't and won't take me to a doctor. I've had breathing problems my whole life and my mom and dad refuse to do anything like take me to the hospital.
I'm sure my lungs are crap since I've been smoked around my whole life. In track I can't run more than 200m because of my breathing. I'm always last in track practice when we run long distances and can't keep up with anybody because I start wheezing and coughing and get out of breath. Besides my crappy lungs I'm healthy, I exercise, eat healthy, and I'm not overweight, I'm 103 lbs. Also sometimes when I breath my lungs hurt even if I'm not running. I know somethings wrong but I can't do anything because my parents won't take me to see a doctor. I am clueless at what to do.
So back to emphysema. My dad was diagnosed yesterday and the disease is in a very early stage. I know there is no cure, but I know the process can be slowed. He has to use an inhaler every day, exercise, stop smoking (which he's going to do), and take medication. I was just wondering if he does all he's suppose to do about how long can he live with the disease? Will he eventually have to use an oxygen tank? He coughs a lot, but oddly he's never been out of breath. He can walk a long time and be fine. More info about emphysema would be appreciated.
Please answer.
Suggestion:
if you go to school you can discuss your breathing problem with the school nurse. if she feels that you do have a problem she can ask your parents to have you see a doctor. Also sometimes the hospital or collage that teaches nurses or respiratory therapists have free asthma screenings. your dad can live a long time if he stops smoking. not everyone that has emphysema needs to have extra oxygen. if his disease is caught early and he modifies his life style – eat healthy, no smoking , exercise he can control the symptoms.
