TLC

[cheryl]

Does anyone know the difference between losing your Total Lung Capacity slowly compared to losing it abruptly due to parts of the lung being cut out?

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Could you expand a bit Cheryl? And; why do you ask?

In some ways that's what I'm looking at with a potential lobectomy. Loss of lung function (though not total or I'd be dead) Perhaps I'm misunderstanding your query?

[morningstar]

Cheryl,

I found this I found it a good read and I learned a lot I didn't know. I hope it helps to answer your question and I believe it does toward the bottom of the first page.
Of course Jackie I would hope you fine something to help you also.

findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4085/is_200503/ai_n13485369







Happy Trails,
Rosemarie

[chrisw]

Hi Cheryl,
I will try to answer what I think you mean!
The total lung volume is the total amount of air in the lung. With COPD we trap a bunch of air in damaged alveoli and behind blocked and useless tiny branches of the airways. So with COPD our total lung capacity increases, but we can't use all of it due to the trapped (residual volume) air. Because we can only expand our lungs so far (ribs, diaphragm and neck get in the way!) as we trap more air we can only move in and out less air. The total volume that we can move in and out is called the vital capacity.
Where the deterioration of the lung is localized - and the trapped air is mostly in that part of the lung - then by removing that part of the lung (lung volume reduction surgery) we reduce the residual volume and leave more room for the rest of the lung to inflate into. This means that the vital capacity is increased and we can breath better.

Ask more if that doesn't answer your question properly.
Chris

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Chris; that was an excellent and clear explanation. WTG. I hope that's what you were seeking Cheryl?

[cheryl]

Thank you Rosemarie and Chris.

Jackie, why I ask is I recently saw my GP and asked him what my FEV1 was (52%). He said that the FEV wasn't my problem. Because I had 1/4 of my lung cut out, my TLC was reduced in a matter of hours. It's not good to lose TLC under any circumstances, but the GP said it would be better to lose it gradually. Of course I will ask the Respirologist, who specializes when I see him.

What I wouldn't give to just feel normal again.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Cheryl' I'm not going to comment on what your GP said (these people really, really tick me off sometimes) and yes by all means talk to your respirologist.

Personally I think you're doing pretty darn good; a whole heck of a lot better than many I know I assure you. Small consolation I know, but please try not to dwell on the negative. Also remember the more "fit" you are the more you can do with less.

[the bear]

Just a wee bit of humour in a very serious topic, but, I always thought TLC was tender loving care. Hugz, as ever, bear. ;D