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What can cause a chest X-ray to result in hyperaeration that is not COPD?

Slick_D profile image
26 Replies

Hello! Its my first time here and I think that asking questions here may be very helpful in clearing things out for me.

My question is what could be the cause of "Hyperarated/Hyperinflated lungs," chest x-ray results, notwithstanding the good readings on the oximeter device which showed a 99-100 level of oxygen. Also, my doctor (which is a pulmonologist) used a stethoscope in trying to find wheezing sounds in my lungs but didn't hear any. Finally she said that I had no COPD.

My question now is what could have caused the erroneous chest X-ray results?

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Slick_D
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26 Replies
stone-UK profile image
stone-UK

Hi

Some reading for you.

healthfully.com/hyperexpand...

Slick_D profile image
Slick_D in reply tostone-UK

Thank you! Very helpful info!

2greys profile image
2greys

Or,

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

Slick_D profile image
Slick_D in reply to2greys

Thank you! Very helpful info!

Shancock profile image
Shancock

Your GP should arrange for you to have a spirometry test (lung function) to make sure there is no asthma etc.

One of my lungs shown hyperinflation on an X-ray so I had a CT scan, which came back fine so whatever happened on the X-ray had corrected itself. I can o ly assume that maybe when you have a chest infection it may cause the lungs to do that temporarily. My spirometry came back good too so I've not got COPD.

But if I were you I would have a further test just to be totally sure.

Shancock profile image
Shancock

Also, the chest X-ray cannot diagnose that condition, really only good for showing fluid/infections. A lung can temporarily hyperinflate if you take a deep breath and hold it, that's why if there are any concerns you have further tests. A CT scan shows various images and take about 20 mins or so as they ask you to occasionally take a breath hold it etc. And a spirometry shows your lung strength, these are the tests used to diagnose any long term lung condition. The X-ray is really just a first step, definitely not conclusive.

Slick_D profile image
Slick_D in reply toShancock

Will a spirometry suffice? You see I'm from the Philippines, a relatively poor country, and it really costs a lot to have a CT scan.

Shancock profile image
Shancock in reply toSlick_D

I think a spirometry will be fine, if they r worried about the results u can then think about further tests. I think it will be fine if your 22 unlikely to be anythung serious, at worst touch of asthma.

Slick_D profile image
Slick_D in reply toShancock

Its not even an asthma because the doctor listened to the sounds of my lungs which had no wheezes.

Shancock profile image
Shancock in reply toSlick_D

Prob nothing then. But i have asthma an i only wheeze wen i get a chest cold, otherwise im fine.

Slick_D profile image
Slick_D in reply toShancock

So basically wheezes are caused by obstruction in the airways of the lungs right?

Shancock profile image
Shancock in reply toSlick_D

I dont know im not a doctor but a bronchitis cough generally causes you to wheeze, anyone can get acute bronchitis doesnt mean u have a health problem its a typical chest cold. But not all lung conditions cause you to wheeze, im pretty sure you cant diagnose any condition by simply listening through a stethoscope though.

Slick_D profile image
Slick_D in reply toShancock

How about the oximeter? What does the 99-100 oxygen level in my body imply?

in reply toShancock

Absolutely correct!

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees

I have severe copd Slick_D and I never wheeze. I dont think copd can be ruled out by listening with a stethoscope.

Spacecat1 profile image
Spacecat1 in reply toO2Trees

Agree. Talk to consultant ask about other tests just to rule out things. I have copd hardly wheeze and hardly a cough I just have a lot of problem with breathing but with help you learn to live with it with support and breathing exercise

Slick_D profile image
Slick_D in reply toSpacecat1

I am only 22 years old and have smoked less than a pack a day for 6 or 7 years. Too much thinking actually gives me a difficult time breathing.

2greys profile image
2greys

Unless I have an infection I also do not wheeze or cough, just get breathless, like O2, I have severe COPD. You really should get a second opinion to nail down your problem.

Have a second opinion and get a ct scan to get a deeper dive. It's not fun to think about as I just went through the process. But you come out the other side with more information etc. Hopefully to further support you are healthy. No smoking if you do please! Good luck

Slick_D profile image
Slick_D in reply to

My current doctor is already my second doctor. She's a pulmonologist. She told me that my lungs only appear to be hyperaerated because of my physiology.

in reply toSlick_D

Ok we have to trust in the docs the best we can. Take care of yourself

Phil40 profile image
Phil40

My Mum has COPD and it often varies from nurse to nurse or doctor what they can hear. She can get different diagnoses from every

stethoscopes wielding health professional if they stood in a line and took turns to listen. In my humble experience.

Slick_D profile image
Slick_D in reply toPhil40

So I should worry?

Phil40 profile image
Phil40

Sorry, didn’t mean to worry you just thoughtlessly telling of our experience.

If you have been told all’s good then I would go with that for sure. And Mum is 82 and suffering with end stage COPD so I am sure that makes things much harder to hear etc. And she is not the greatest at describing what is going on or how she’s feeling.

So please don’t worry because of what I said, I have not been here for ages and was awake all last night so probably not at my brain best! Which isn’t that good at the best of times 😂

Slick_D profile image
Slick_D in reply toPhil40

Its all okay :)

Slick_D profile image
Slick_D in reply toPhil40

So its your grandmother that has a lung illness? Not you?

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