Preparing for an appointment

Your first appointment to check for emphysema may be with your primary doctor or with a specialist in lung diseases (pulmonologist).

What you can do

Before your appointment, you might want to write a list that answers the following questions:

• Do you smoke? If so, how many packs a day and when did you start?
• Are you exposed to the smoke of other smokers?
• Have any of your jobs exposed you to chemical fumes or industrial dust?
• Does anyone else in your family have lung problems?
• What medications and supplements do you take regularly?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask some of the following questions:

• Do you cough every day? If so, when did that start?
• If you smoke, have you tried to quit?
• When did you first notice shortness of breath?
• Does anyone in your family have emphysema or COPD?
• Does shortness of breath keep you from completing daily tasks?
• Have you ever noticed your fingernails or lips turning blue?
• Have you recently gained or lost weight?