Hyperinflated lungs

[bryan45735]

Hi again I've had 2 xrays in two years and been normal both times but because I've supposedly got dysfunctional breathing will this cause hyperinflated lungs it may sound like a stupid question to some but it's a serious question to me

[Maricopa]

I have severe stage 4 genetic emphysema. My lungs are very hyperinflated due to air trapping. It’s been a year since my last PFT. I am set to have a new one next Wednesday. I know I’ve worsened. As far as for your question I don’t know how to answer other then explain why my lungs are large and long. I have panacinar emphysema. It began on the bottom lobes but is now throughout. Many bullae & blebs. So with the structural damage it traps air.

[ck101]

Sounds like you are finding things to worry about Bryan, are you going for an X-ray? Hyperinflation is an incidental finding on a CXR. All Pulmonologists debunk it as as non specific especially when they have tests like spirometry / volume to demonstrate if air trapping and therefore hyperinflation is present.

[bryan45735 in reply to ck101]

My last 2 xrays said no hyperinflated lungs or no new air space that's what the doctor said but because I've got this dysfunctional breathing there will be trapped air I guess

[ck101 in reply to bryan45735]

Dysfunctional breathing in your case is psychologic.

[skischool]

I believe there is some evidence that dysfunctional breathing can cause hyperinflated lungs,but only during the short period of time that you are not breathing normaly unlike as in severe Copd/emphysema where it is a permanent feature of the lungs and once breathing is controlled again your lungs would return to a normal elastic state.

You could google it for confirmation but i would not recommend doing so Bryan as it would probably only contribute to your obvious health anxiety and perhaps it would be something to discuss with your GP.

Ski's and Scruff's

[Badbessie in reply to skischool]

Thankyou Skis you explained it very well. I did not want to go into details as not to cause more anxiety. Basically when you sleep or faint your breathing returns to normal and and build of air disappears.

[Badbessie]

First point is that there is no such thing as a stupid question. I have already asked them. I can only speak in general terms medically speaking. In theory anything that prevents full exhalation can cause hyperinflation of the lungs. In my case it was bilateral pneumonia. It went following my recovery. To be honest I cannot see how an abnormal breathing pattern could cause this. Dysfunctional breathing can cause problems but many other symptoms would occur first. There are differing forms of dysfunctional breathing if your last two x-rays were normal then I cannot see why they should be not normal this time.

[Badbessie]

Bryan if I may I will tell you a little story. When first diagnosed I came out of hospital and I was given a mass of information. I became hyper aware of my breathing. The nights were the worst. I would listen for any little wheeze and have a pulse oximeter on my finger to check my oxygen levels. Over a period of months I became worse. The checking of mucus was almost a ritual. I would get out of breath going upstairs. About six months later my grandson came to stay. He ran up the road I chased after him, brought him back and started playing with his blocks with him. About ten minutes later I noticed both my wife and daughter looking at each other and suddenly realised I had run up a road, caught my grandson and carried him back and no shortness of breath. It was then I realised it was me that was the problem not my lungs. Anxiety is habit forming. The more you look the more you find.

[bryan45735 in reply to Badbessie]

That sounds just like me with my episodes thanks for the story badbessie

[Badbessie in reply to bryan45735]

Bryan I could tell you many more some of which will sound paranoid. There are many on the site with anxiety. In reality it is a normal reaction to an abnormal situation. Just remember you are not on your own.

[bryan45735 in reply to Badbessie]

It feels like I am alone because my friends and family don't understand and untill you are in that situation you will never understand thanks for your support and the rest of you on here thankyou x

[Badbessie in reply to bryan45735]

I think that feeling of isolation is horrible. To you everything is very real and no matter how illogical it is to others your mind says it is. One thing I will say it takes time to become like this and to remember it will take time to improve.

[Tia4209 in reply to Badbessie]

Thank you Badbessie I found your story helpful too x

[knitter]

I have hyper inflated lungs too, and at one time diagnosed with dysfunctional breathing and anxiety .My breathing was monitored, how many breaths per minute , what part of my chest I was using …..very little air was reaching the bottom of my lungs , I was fast tight upper chest breathing with shoulders up .

Tended to breathe in , stomach in , breathe out , stomach out . Panic mode.

It should have been the opposite …..gentle gentle nose breath in …..relaxed chest and diaphragm……stomach out .

Relaxed gentle breathing out , stomach in . Slow , gentle and low.

Try a few rounds of pursed lip breathing …..gentle gentle breath in through the nose…….gentle gentle breath out through pursed lips for a bit longer time than in breath.

Sometimes dysfunctional breath pattern can cause hyperventilation / anxiety/ breathlessness/ anxiety .

Try putting one hand on your lower chest, one on the upper……the lower hand should move out more than the upper.

I find meditation helpful ….I started with an experienced teacher.

The BLF website has some reliable advice on how to help deal with breathlessness.

[Sophiep1991k in reply to knitter]

Can can I ask if your anxiety caused hyperinflated lungs just reading through the comments but think I'm miss reading them this was a while ago so you may not see this thankyou.

[leo60]

Bryan, you have had some wonderful advice from these guys, I am in awe of how they have explained things to you, this is a truly wonderful site. You are never on your own here and we all listen and when we can help, we jump in. All I can offer this time however are my thoughts and hugs 😊😘😘 xx

[Ergendl]

To help with dysfunctional breathing, join a singing group. The British Lung Foundation website has a page listing groups in your local area. Many of them, like mine, don't need you to be a 'good' singer as they use singing for lung exercise, not for performing as a choir.