[Anthony B]

Doctor says that I am using only about 20 to 30 % of my lung capacity. I am a 30 year old male. Have been working in a mechanic garage area for two years. I stopped smoking cigars 6 years ago. I smoked cigars for six years.Sometimes I do breath exhaust and fumes. I used to work out 3 times per week but didn't do much cardio. I haven't worked out in two months due to feeling fatigued the day after a workout.

[C>/]

You breath exhaust fumes, chemical fumes, etc. You did smoke at one time. How active are you? Do you exercise regularly?

[greygoose]

exercise more to increase your lung capasity

[Song1964]

All right, my first question to you is how does your doctor know that you are only using 20 to 30% of your lung function. Did you have a Pulmonary Function Test? If not, your doctor is just estimating. What you need to do if you are worried is go and see a Pulmonolgist. They are the lung specialists. You are very young to have lost that much of your lung capacity. You are either genetically prone to emphysema, or your doctor is wrong.Second question is this: How many cigars did you smoke a day? Six years of smoking is really in the big scheme of things not a long time...so again unless you are genetically prone to lung disease I would get a second opinion.Third question: Did your doctor offer a reason as to why your lung capacity is so low? Did they do an O2 sat? Did they do an ABG? Did they take an xray? All of these tests are necessary to see what is going on inside your lungs. If you are having shortness of breathe, you really need to get things checked out and soon.Things that could cause low lung capacity in a ex smoker could be the following. (this is just a small list that I can think of but in no way is what I think that this is what is going on in your lungs)1. Pulmonary Fibrosis - lungs stiffining2. Lung Cancer3. Empheysema4. Pulmonary EmboliIt is my hope for you that your doctor was mistaken and that none of the above are true. Good luck and breathe easy.

[Josie826]

Maybe asthma. Did the doctor do a full work-up, X-rays, blood work, etc.? Is he going to refer you to pulmonary (lung) specialist? A 30 year old non-smoking man should not have only 30% lung capacity. I don't know how you get through the day.

[Matt A]

I would need to know more about the doctors statement. A capacity is a combination of volumes. Diseases that effect lung volumes are known as RESTRICTIVE diseases. That could be any disease other then the 5 obstructive diseases.The 5 obstructive diseases are Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, Bronchiectasis, Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis.Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis are almost always caused by smoking. Asthma will present as obstructive disease however, it can have restrictive properties in many cases.Do you have anymore data about your test?