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

[Slick_D]

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?

[stone-UK]

Hi

Some reading for you.

healthfully.com/hyperexpand...

[Slick_D in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you! Very helpful info!

[2greys]

Or,

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

[Slick_D in reply to 2greys]

Thank you! Very helpful info!

[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]

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 in reply to Shancock]

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 in reply to Slick_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 in reply to Shancock]

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

[Shancock in reply to Slick_D]

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

[Slick_D in reply to Shancock]

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

[Shancock in reply to Slick_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 in reply to Shancock]

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

[Hidden in reply to Shancock]

Absolutely correct!

[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 in reply to O2Trees]

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 in reply to Spacecat1]

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]

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.

[Hidden]

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 in reply to Hidden]

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.

[Hidden in reply to Slick_D]

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

[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 in reply to Phil40]

So I should worry?

[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 in reply to Phil40]

Its all okay

[Slick_D in reply to Phil40]

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