i'm sorry to hear you have emphysema. i can tell you make lung care a top priority which is a good thing to do. as you probably realize emphysema is an incurable progressive disease of the lungs. in emphysema the walls of the small air sacs ("alveoli") deep in your lungs eventually collapse. this creates large air spaces instead of small ones which makes it difficult for a person with emphysema to exhale. you definitely should talk to your doctor about your profession and the dust exposure you must live with. i'm not a doctor but the main problem i see with this is dust particles getting trapped in those large air spaces of your lungs where you alveoli used to be. because of the emphysema you are less able to exhale those particles than a person without lung problems. foreign particulates in your lungs can cause a host of medical issues including infection. i very much understand the need to earn a living. nurses (like me) face the same dilemma you are up against: we have to work but our damaged spinal discs can't take the abuse of bedside care at a certain point. again i urge you to talk to your doctor about your situation. you are exposing yourself to a significant health risk by working in dusty conditions when you have emphysema. wishing you well!
will emphysema get worse if i am continually exposed to dust at work? >. i work as a carpenter and cannot always wear a dust mask. lately i'm working in a very dusty remodel and i am starting to taste blood when i cough although i don't see any in spitum. thx