lung hyperinflation,

[msthingy123]

Having severe shortness of breath month now, chest xray shows moderate lung hyperinflation. Can this be caused by anxiety?

[PaulineHM]

Hello msthingy123,

As far as I am aware lung hyperinflation is not caused by anxiety, rather the cause is due to ‘baggy’ lung tissue. This is where the very small alveoli, which is where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide happens, lose their elasticity and become very ‘baggy’. The cause is damage to the lungs, particularly in COPD.

Sometimes the hyperinflation can be reduced by surgery, but that is not suitable for everyone.

I hope this helps ?

Go well,

Pauline

[anng18]

Hi msthingy,

Pauline's reply is excellent, but anxiety can cause an increase in breathing activity, which then causes dynamic hyperinflation. Unfortunately, I suffer from this and having just had a lung x-ray done, will ask my doctor about it, to see if anything can be done. It's a bit of a vicious circle - something triggers the stress levels and causes hyperinflation - sometimes I'm not sure if it is my lungs or anxiety.

[Mavary]

Hi! I’ve been the same for a while now. I put mine down to Aspergillosis. I’ve not had Itraconazole for a while. The Chemist couldn’t get them. I’m back on them now but haven’t had them for long. I think it has improved a bit but not sure yet. I wasn’t breathing properly then I’d feel shaky, my legs would be wobbly and I felt light headed. I was afraid I’d pass out. It dawned on me all of a sudden it must be because I’d not had the Itraconazole.

[soulsaver]

Over inflated lungs is caused by trapped air when the damaged alveoli collapse on exhalation, so act like a valve - letting air in on inhalation but not allowing it out again, trapping the air.

Try pursed lip exhalation which slows the out breath so the alveoli less inclined to collapse.

[Timberman]

Firstly I have to say I am a long time patient not an clinician so check anything I say.

I am puzzled how the chest X-ray showed this problem. As you can see below its is not likely to show up in that way. But I may have a suggestion or two; and I apologise if you know all this.

First our millions of airways end in millions of little sacs called alveoli. The air we breath (80% Nitrogen and just under 20% Oxygen) separates and the O2 molecules pass into the blood stream. The Nitrogen is inert and merely helps to pump the O2 back and forth

Secondly any air we breath contains a trace of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and this non-toxic gas is also created in small quantities inside our bodies when we use the O2. We get rid of that by allowing it through the walls of the alveoli to be exhaled on the out breath.

Two things can happen but both are pretty invisible. O2 can become trapped in a mis-shaped alveoli and thus prevent blood uptake of O2 - this might well cause over inflation of the lung and breathless ness. Or you can be what is called a CO2 retainer (like me) in which case you have trouble getting rid of the CO2 and this then blocks access to O2 with obvious effects.

I know nothing about the O2 problem so would urge you (which I do anyway) to seek specialist advice.

But I do about CO2 retention. You can clear this by what is called 'pursed lip' breathing. This involves taking deep breaths, holdi8ng them briefly and then forcing the air through lips shaped as if to whistle (try not to, neighbours can complain...) This has the effect of pressing harder on the alveoli and forcing the co2 molecules out into the brionchii for outward transmission. You need to do this 6-8 times. I do it every morning and then as needed

Note that we all have five lobes to our lungs - two on the left (heart) side and three on the right but the lowest one runs more left to right above the diaphragm. Issues that affect one or more lobes may not affect all of them.

So please try the pursed lips trick, arrange to see a COPD specialist asap and good luck.

Hyper or over ventilation of lung:

This is when the damaged parts of the lung become baggy and trap air. This means when you breathe in, the damaged part of your lung inflates more and can get in the way of the healthier parts of your lung. This increase in the amount of air inside your chest is called hyperinflation.1 May 2022

Emphysema - Asthma + Lung UK

[msthingy123 in reply to Timberman]

Hi I am a mouth breather. I have a nasal obstruction and bad allergies. I also have anxiety. I know I am hyperventilating. Trying pursed.breathing. albuteral inhaler does not help. Prednisone did not help . Ativan is helping with sleep. Just had CT scan no results yet. Came on fast and lasting a month now.

[Timberman in reply to msthingy123]

That's tough. Can they help you? Maybe surgery? Now I am told that stress can interfere with our breathing rate and it is probably the rate that is hyper-venting you. I am no expert but I would suggest that some stress therapy might help. Being taught how to relax properly can be a huge help.

Here is one tip that may assist you. Choose a picture or TV screen that is rectangular (one side longer). Now focus on a corner and follow the short side while you breath in. Then follow the long side while you breath out. Slowly. And repeat and keep going. After a while you will settle into a rhythm - roughly 3-4 second in and 5-7 seconds out.

Whether you breath as most of us do (in nose; out mouth) or as you do, by mouth, you will still get into this rhythm. One problem of course is that you may suffer dry mouth (I do at night) so have some water beside you all the time so you can hydrate your mouth.

NOTE: I am NOT a clinician; just a patient who feels the need to know. So PLEASE check anything I say with your clinician.

[Caspiana]

Hello there. I have a hyperinflated left lung as my right lung was transplanted. Before my transplant I suffered terribly with both hyperinflated lungs. I felt like a walking balloon. 🙄

Anxiety does not cause this. It is caused by air trapping usually due to blockages in the air passages or by air sacs that are less elastic, which interferes with the expulsion of air from the lungs. 👋😊

[msthingy123 in reply to Caspiana]

Can nasal blockages cause it.

[Caspiana in reply to msthingy123]

No

[Ergendl]

At our singing group, we use the 13/15 count exercise which helps to empty the lungs of air in a controlled manner. I find myself quite breathless immediately after doing it because it really helps to get all the air out. But I feel so much better after.

[jackdup in reply to Ergendl]

how does that work, or should say how do you do that?

[Ergendl in reply to jackdup]

Here's a video I made during lockdown guiding you through the exercise: youtube.com/watch?v=mIKdhAr...(Not working as expected?)

[jackdup in reply to Ergendl]

excellent, thank you.

[Patk1]

Read up on " controlled breathing techniques".if u persevete,snd practise, they do help.anxiety can cause breathing difficulties.concentrating on breathing may help u relax.have u had a cold,flu,covid recently? Do u smoke? I ask bcos all can have an impact too