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Breast Cancer/Radiation and asthma

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Expert: - 5/4/2006


Question
I have had 33 radiation treaments for breast cancer on the left breast. I completed my treatments yesturday. I have trouble with my asthma ONLY when I lie down at night, daytime is fine, no wheezing or asthma symptoms. could the radiation treatments caused any lung damage and if so why is this only bothering me at night?

Answer
Radiation therapy can cause inflammation in lung tissue exposed to it (similar to a sun burn in skin). If you already have asthma it will most probably get somewhat worse temporarily during and for some time after therapy because of this. It is a common situation with asthma symptoms that they get worse when you lie down. You can probably notice it now since it has become somewhat worse due to the radiation. I suggest that you sleep half sitting up by putting a number of pillows behind you. You can also use some of your asthma medication just before going to bed. Good luck!

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

Experience

I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

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