Posted by Chris M. on 11/8/2009, 8:27 pm
72.251.77.172
Posted by Wes on 11/14/2007, 8:35 pm, in reply to "DLCO"
Forgive me, XXX, for not being able to name the scribe of the note on diffusing capacity below but it's a quick study when combined with the quick ref data at the link.
But first, I'm not sure any measurements you may get would help you with your meds. I have numbers but they are 3 years old and neither my pulmo or I feel the need for any up date.
Check with your doc but personally, I know my diffusion is crappy so what if it gets a little more crappy. More alveoli destroyed? More small air way destroyed? Crank up the amount of liters, exercise a little more, demand less oxygen as we do more with less--sure. Don't need some test to tell us we are SOB eh? But here's the way it works.
What Is The Diffusing Capacity?
The surface area of the lung where oxygen can 'get in' to the body is very limited in people with COPD. For example, in patients with emphysema, both the small air sacs (alveoli) and the small blood vessels (capillaries) that run past them are destroyed, leaving a smaller area for oxygen to come in contact with the oxygen-carrying proteins in the blood (hemoglobin).
"Diffusing capacity" refers to the capacity of the lung to release carbon dioxide and take in fresh oxygen. This lung function test measures the amount of area of the lung where oxygen can move into the blood vessels. It is performed much like the spirometry test, except that during this test, you breathe in a small amount of carbon monoxide gas. Carbon monoxide is used because it binds very quickly and well with hemoglobin and the amount is easily measured.
The test is usually performed during a single breath. To measure the diffusing capacity, you have to have certain minimal lung volumes and be able to hold your breath for a brief period of time. Also since diffusing capacity varies with the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood, the values obtained need to be revised if your hemoglobin level is not normal."
I have not been on antibiotics for any extensive time, hope not to be, and have never been scripted for Bactrim. Am sure you have all the data on it. Wes
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