Helen is a 62-year-old smoker. her physician has diagnosed her as having emphysema that has caused her to hypoventilate. she is tired and sedentary. besides having difficulty breathing, what other condition is contributing to her tiredness?
Smoking causes the metabolic rate to decrease hence, the patient will feel more tired. Also Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most common conditions that make up COPD. Damage to the lungs from COPD can't be reversed.Symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, or a chronic cough.Rescue inhalers and inhaled or oral steroids can help control symptoms and minimize further damage. Hence, if there is problem in breathing common task such as walking the stair will be tiring for the patient.