MANILA, Philippines - Hours after telling media that the condition of his father had improved after dialysis, Eric Quizon on Friday evening said Comedy King Dolphy had developed pneumonia in both lungs - his 11th bout with the disease in 11 months.
Nonethless, Quizon said there was an improvement in Dolphy's hemoglabin count, which had increased. However, he said that the vetaran actor's platelet count was down.
Dolphy's family is hopeful that he will survive pneumonia as it was detected early, according to Quizon.
Dolphy, who will be turning 84 next month, is confined at the Makati Medical Center. Five years ago, he was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), an illness that results in breathing difficulty and worsens over time.
Quizon recently revealed that Dolphy's COPD had progressed to Stage IV.
"Five years ago, sinabihan na siya na stage four 'yong sakit niya na 'yon. When you say stage four in cancer terms, very critical na 'yon," Quizon said in an interview with a television program last June 20.
Most people suffering from COPD are smokers or used to smoke. About 600 million people worldwide suffer from COPD, according to the World Health Organization. COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States, which has more than 12 million people diagnosed with the disease.
According to webMD.com, people with COPD suffer from other health problems such as:
1. COPD flare-ups , also called exacerbations, which are sudden increases in coughing, shortness of breath, and/or the amount or color of mucus you cough up.
2. More frequent lung infections, such as pneumonia.
3. An increased risk of thinning bones (osteoporosis), especially if you use oral corticosteroids.
4. Depression or anxiety. COPD may limit your ability to work and may reduce your independence, sexual activity, social activities, and self-esteem. This often causes depression. Having trouble breathing can make you feel very anxious.
5. Problems with weight. If chronic bronchitis is the main part of your COPD, you may need to lose weight. If emphysema is your main problem, you may need to gain weight and muscle mass.
6. Heart failure affecting the right side of the heart (cor pulmonale).
7. A collapsed lung (pneumothorax). COPD can damage the lung's structure and allow air to leak into the chest cavity.
8. Sleep problems because you are not getting enough oxygen into your lungs.
source: interaksyon.com
