Medical history (history of illness) is an important component in the diagnosis of emphysema (pulmonary hyperinflation).
Family history
- Is there a history of lung disease in your family?
Social history
- What is your profession?
- Are you exposed to harmful working substances (gases, dusts) in your profession?
Current anamnesis/systemic anamnesis (somatic and psychological complaints).
- What symptoms have you noticed?
- How long have these symptoms been present?
- Do you suffer from shortness of breath?* If so, in what situations?
- Do you have a cough? If so, is this cough productive?
- Do you have frequent respiratory infections?
- Have you noticed any changes in fingers/fingernails?
- Have you noticed a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes?
Vegetative anamnesis including nutritional anamnesis.
- Do you have good physical capacity? How many floors can you climb stairs without shortness of breath?
- Do you smoke? If so, how many cigarettes, cigars or pipes per day?
- Do you drink alcohol? If yes, what drink(s) and how many glasses per day?
- Do you use drugs? If yes, what drugs and how often per day or per week?
Self history incl. medication history.
- Pre-existing conditions (pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease).
- Operations
- Allergies
- Medication history
- Environmental history (air pollutants: various gases, dusts (esp. quartz); ozone and nitrogen oxides).
* If this question has been answered with “Yes”, an immediate visit to the doctor is required! (Data without guarantee)
