COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
My dad has 40% lung capacity. Until his recent bout with pneumonia, he was working out, walking quite abit, etc.
Just how severe is 40%???????
Just how severe is 40%???????
Howdy and welcom. I wish that was an easy question to answer. 40% in one person may be debiliating while another can shrug it off. The best thing he could do is start working out and walking again. I've had to restart working out a handful of times, now using a treadmill.
If you look at the GOLD stage criteria : http://copd.about.com/od/copdbasics/a/stagesofcopd.htm
40% is in the severe stage. Which is derived from statistics. That being said, your father is like us - not a statistic. You'll find a lot of support from people here, hints and tips on how to live with this disease...
Take care,
Dennis
Welcome to our group, for you and your dad. Like DennyGene said, this disease is different in each person. my lung capacity is less than your dad's but I still do exercise. Pneumonia, and any illness will take a lot of starch out of a person. So as soon as he is able, he needs to start exercising again, walking a little and such. Sometimes we have to keep starting over, but the main thing is never give up, keep moving as much as you can for as long s you can. God bless you and your dad..
BJ