Hyperinflated lungs?: Hi, me again. In... - Asthma Community ...

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Hyperinflated lungs?

floating_ profile image
8 Replies

Hi, me again. In hospital again. Had an xray and this was found? Spirometry was above normal for me. Doc said it's great but google says the opposite? I know I shouldn't trust Dr. Google and I typically don't but this just seems off to me.

Hope everyone's ok.

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floating_
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Troilus profile image
Troilus

Hi Floating. I’m assuming you had an attack? Hyperiflated lungs are caused by air trapping. Airways narrow during an attack and the air doesn’t get out as efficiently as it should. And of course we need to keep breathing, so we continue to take air in.If our airways don’t let out the equivalent to what we are taking in, then this can cause hyperinflation.

As you airways open up and the swelling goes down, this will resolve itself.

If you are feeling ok now, you could try taking long slow breaths out through tight lips.

floating_ profile image
floating_ in reply toTroilus

Ohh, thank you! You explained it the same way my asthma nurse did, but now I can relay to my mum well. Thank you for the tips too.

Melanie1989 profile image
Melanie1989

Hi Floating,

I generally have hyperinflation on x-ray during an acute attack. This is where air is going in o.k but not getting out and would be common during an exacerbation. To much air build up can be dangerous and I wouldn't generally describe it as a good thing! Once you are treated and past the attack this will go back to normal. If hyperinflation is seen regularly (e.g, not just when you are experiencing acute attack) then this can point towards other lung diseases e.g c.o.p.d.

I would maybe ask for more clarification from another Dr just so you can fully understand. In general though this is nothing to worry about and will settle when your attack abates.

Hope you feel better soon!

floating_ profile image
floating_ in reply toMelanie1989

I'm in a different ward now but I saw my asthma nurse and she basically explained it the same way you did! Thank you. And thank you for the well wishes too. 🙏

Itswonderful profile image
Itswonderful

I hope you are better soon x

runcyclexcski profile image
runcyclexcski

When they saw that the spirometry was above normal, did they try to dismiss asthma first? My baseline FEV1 is 150%, and when I am at 100% I feel quite sick, but it's often very frustrating when a new Dr or Nurse dimisses you as having asthma based on the FEV w/o knowing the baseline (and the PF readings).

I have also read that FEV1 is not the only asthma predictor, but rather the shape of the curve following the peak and the 50% and 75% parameters (mine are often at 40%) which together may be indicative of inflammation in the lower airways

floating_ profile image
floating_ in reply toruncyclexcski

Fortunately no, although haven't been able to speak to my consultant yet. Speak to them on the 11th, but I have seen my asthma nurse and she's not been dismissive about it. Hope that I can make my appointment with the consultant and not be in hospital by then! My asthma nurse said I was at 110% in spirometry. Some A&E doctors get dismissive if I'm not wheezing (tend to wheeze when things are really dire rather than towards the start of the asthma attack), it often delays care and leads me to needing admission because I get so ill. That's frustrating.

Sorry to hear you've had bad experiences though. That's terrible!

runcyclexcski profile image
runcyclexcski in reply tofloating_

>>Some A&E doctors get dismissive if I'm not wheezing (tend to wheeze when things are >>really dire rather than towards the start of the asthma attack)

Sounds very familiar. If I wheeze they might as well call a priest.

Hang in there! When I have attacks I feel a "bubble" in my lungs which would not go away, so it does sound familiar, and I have heard about this from my consultants, too.

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