Case study part 1

Mr Rahman, 45 years of age, visits your practice for the first time from a nearby village. He complains that he has been suffering from a cough, occasional sputum production, fatigue, and progressive shortness of breath on exertion (SOBE) for the last 3-4 years.

He cannot recall the exact time of onset of these symptoms as they developed gradually. His problems are unremitting with occasional flare up, which normally resolve with medical help or self-medication. He says,

“I don’t like to do the strenuous activities that I used to do previously.”