http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aktIMBQSXMo&feature=fvw
Ray went for his Spirometer test today so I sat in to have a nose.
He had to use the meter 3 times and readings were printed off.
Then he was put on a Nebulizer that finished in a few minutes but we had to wait and wait while the nurse sorted the next patient but finally he was back onto the Spirometer for 3 more blows and the meter prints of what he should have done and what he did do.
We have now to wait 2 weeks for the Doctor to look at the results and tell Ray what they will do about it.
Emphysema is a kind of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Most cases of emphysema are attributable to excessive smoking over a period of 20 years or more, but Ray gave up in the 70's, this reality is reflected in the fact that many global medical experts recommend smokers over the age of 45 should receive screening for the disease.
Yet the sad truth is that a person does not have to be a smoker to develop the disease, as passive smoking is a danger too. Although recent legislative changes regarding smoking in workplaces and public spaces has had the effect of minimising this danger to people working in traditionally smoky environments, such as bars, pubs, restaurants and casinos, those who have worked in these environments will still have a higher than average chance of developing the disease.
Smoking is not the only workplace risk, industrial pollutants too pose a major risk, with some experts estimating that they are the cause of as many as 5% of all cases.
One area where there has been progress in recent years is diagnosis. Whereas the most common diagnostic tool used to be Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) measurement, which often used to provide varying and unreliable readings, the use of spirometers has become much more widespread, providing more reproducible and objective readings than ever before.
They work by measuring the total volume of air expired in the first second of expiration. Although there have been some concerns about incorrectly administered spirometer testing, the consensus is that they represent a breakthrough in the diagnostic tools for COPDs.
Spirometry should not be viewed as a stand-alone method of diagnosis, as other tools, such as X-rays and CT scans may also form part of the diagnostic approach.
http://www.youclaim.co.uk/emphysema-and-the-value-of-spirometry.htm
With this out of the way we were really to late to set off for our weekend away as the M25 will be a nightmare tonight so we will get away tomorrow.
I'm tidying up and packing and we will be ready to set off early in the morning now.
