high hemoglobin in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient?

joelynn · Newbie Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 4

Hello! My grandfather has been diagnosed a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He used to be a heavy smoker and his doctor told us this was the main reason for his disease. He used to cough often but he didn’t want to see his doctor. When he started to feel shortness of breathe we managed to take him to do some tests. Now, he is using some medicines and sprays and he doesn’t smoke. His doctor says he should monitor his hemoglobin levels. What does high hemoglobin in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient presents?

claudetta · Newbie Joined: 25 Nov 2005 Posts: 7

Hello! Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is often a result of cigarette smoking and it is very good your grandfather quit smoking. Narrowed airways cause problems in breathing of oxygen and destroyed lung tissue reduce the area for gas exchange. The lungs are not able to provide enough oxygen. Hemoglobin, which carries oxygen, may increase in order to compensate for chronically low supply of oxygen. This can make the blood thick and impair its ability to flow easily which can cause stroke or problems in intellectual functioning. Your grandfather’s doctor will monitor his hemoglobin in order to prevent these problems. If the levels become dangerously elevated the blood removal is sometimes arranged (as in blood donation).

high hemoglobin in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient?

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