Amy Winehouse, Drugs and Emphysema
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According to a report on Yahoo, singer Amy Winehouse has not only Emphysema, but also an irregular heartbeat. These conditions are reportedly being blamed on her drug use… primarily her smoking of Crack Cocaine.
The article goes on to state that she will be performing again soon, according to her Dad. He is asking her ‘drug using friends’ to stay away from her.
Can we say “ENABLER”?? Why isn’t this girl in a serious rehabilitation facility? Oh, I know.. she’s been in them before. Why is it her family is encouraging her to keep performing, and not getting her the help she obviously so desperately needs? Her Dad is quoted as saying that she’s basically ok when she’s performing, and that problems only occur when she’s not.
Does he not see this as a huge problem? Are they worried so much about her cranking out shows and raking in money that they will just hope the drug and health problems go away? Emphysema is not reversible. It’s not curable. She is only 24. People don’t normally have that disease until they are MUCH much older.
Amy is sadly going to end up dead before she ever reaches 30 years old at the rate she’s going. If she won’t face reality and get herself some help, then her family should do it for her.
Edited to add:
The report states that she has only 70% lung capacity due to the Emphysema.
3 Comments
the oracle
June 23rd, 2008
at 1:48am
I haven’t read about this, and know little about her drug abuse. It is sad, but some people burn brightly for a short time - it is just the way it is. I doubt that her parents will be able to anything for her now - except to be there when needed.
As an aside - her emphysema cannot be that bad, or she could not sing as she does. You are right about the permanence of the problem - if that does not ’scare her straight’ nothing will.
ken maxwell
June 24th, 2008
at 3:43pm
Yes it is bad to believe that people with talent can do this to themselves. The truth is her parents, or drug rehab can’t help, cocaine is a very insidious drug,it makes you feel like a” new person”, the problem is the new person wants more coke. You can only break this cycle by yourself.
As far as the emphysema, 70% lung capacity, while not reversible, can be stopped with a drug called Spireva, or LVRS, provided you stop the lung damaging activity. I am watching a wife battle with 15% lung capacity, and even at the level her health can be maintained.
DDW
June 29th, 2008
at 5:35am
I have been a Paramedic and Respiratory Therapist my entire adult life and I have to question two things in this article. The first is that it was reported by a news source. I have had several events I have been involved in be reported in the press and have yet to see one that all the facts were correct. I have also not ever seen someone diagnosed with emphysema at such a young age. Since her medical record is not available we don’t really know. It could be another disease that acts similar.
To measure her lung capacity they would have to do a pulmonary function test or similar test. In most of these there is a predicted value based on the patient’s age and height. Normal function is considered 80% of predicted. Many of these tests require good patient cooperation and can be affected if the patient does not fully comprehend how to do it, if they have a cold, or other factors. So her having 70% is not significantly below normal and could have been affected by some other factors.
If she is into drugs she does need to stop but it is not fair to blame the parents. She is an adult and makes decisions for her own life. Her parents can encourage her to seek help but they cannot force her.