I have been told that I have hyper ex... - Lung Conditions C...

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I have been told that I have hyper expansion of my lower lung. Can anyone explain that to me please.

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12 years ago•10 Replies

For example are my lungs getting bigger? Will they start squashing my other organs. And if it is lower lung is that technically empysema? Thank you.

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10 Replies

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dweebette12 years ago

Could be emphysema but that is for your doctor to diagnose. One of the problems w/ emphysema is that the lungs can become hyper inflated. They can take up the space that normal lungs use to expand and contract. Normally your diaphragm has an elastic recoil when you breathe in it goes down and when you breathe out it springs back in to its normal arched shape helping to empty your lungs. There is no squishing of organs its just that your diaphragm can be crowded preventing you from emptying your lungs. But, fear not if you are having trouble with shortness of breath check out instuctional videos on youtube that can teach you diaphragmatic breathing. Try just googling "diaphragmatic breathing" also pursed lipped breathing helps too.

in reply to dweebette12 years ago

Thanks very much dweebette for your advice. Will check out the website. xx

in reply to 12 years ago

Oh I have never seen a doctor about my COPD. The nurse always deals with that. The only time I see a doctor is with a sympton like a chest infection.x

traindriver12 years ago

Getting a doctor on the case is the best advice as there are a number of causes of hyperinflation with inflamed or blocked Bronchi /Bronchioles being amongst them something your doctor must be aware of if it is treatable. Passing information on how you are experiencing your condition will enable your doctor to give the most effective care possible, it also improves the relationship with your doctor when you are open and honest.

in reply to traindriver12 years ago

I never see a flaming doctor just the COPD nurse. I did ask her about emphysemia but she just said - o we dont call it that these days its all COPD. I would rather call a spade a spade. Will take myself off to the doctor and ask these questions. Thanks for your advice. x

12 years ago

Basically what you are describing is called 'Emphysema'! If you check it out on Wikki you will see that the word emphysema itself is derived from the Greek word for 'inflate,' ie the lung becomes inflated. Air becomes trapped in the emphysematous lung, initially temporarily, but as the disease progresses it becomes more established and we get the expanded chest that is so typical of emphysema. We also get more sob as there is less breathing space left.

Doctors look for signs of hyperinflation and its attendant flattened diaphragm when we are sent for x-rays and scans to confirm a diagnosis of copd - so it is a common finding.

In the earlier stages hyper-expansion can be temporary - induced by poorly controlled breathing or gasping, for example when over exerting ourselves. I had that awful sense of fullness frequently earlier in the year, when I seriously upped my walking distance and speed. It takes me a few hours for it to ease off. As I have got stronger and more aerobically fit - less sob - I do not feel it so much and it subsides more quickly. However I am well aware that my chest wall will also be expanding over time to accommodate my floppy, hyper-inflated lungs. It is, of course, that 'floppiness' that is the demon of the piece - the loss of elasticity and lack of 'rebound' in the lung means that stale air is left trapped. All we can do is breathe as well as we can when exerting ourselves - pursed lipped breathing - and practise belly breathing to maximise the 'in out' breath and strengthen our diaphragm over time. This is where prolonged sitting is our worst enemy as our diaphragm is not capable of so much movement then - especially when slouching.

The Spiriva/Symbicort combo works well for hyperinflation incidentally. P.

12 years ago

Thanks for the information Parvati. I dont know much about the lungs. From time to time when I have eaten a big meal I am sick immediately afterwards. I just wondered if my lungs could be affecting my stomach. The only X-ray I have had recently was about 4 years ago and I had to really push for that - the doctor was against it. I have never had a scan either. The X-ray did show hyper expansion then though I wasnt diagnosed with COPD until about 18 months ago.

I have my bloods done once a year and have been told that this would show up any problems so I dont need another X-ray or, I presume, a scan. Is this normal procedure? x

in reply to 12 years ago

I do use symbicort x

dweebette12 years ago

With emphysema/COPD large meals can cause what you experienced. Try smaller meals. Then they don't compete for space that your lungs need. This does not mean cut down on your nutritional intake (unless needed) just smaller portions spaced apart.

Empysema does not always show up on xrays. A spiral cat scan is a tool that doctors can use to diagnose.

Like I mentioned earlier, there is a multitude of info on the net that will give you the tools to improve your breathing.

Here is a wonderful website that has a vast amount of information on emphysema. It is from the States.

emphysema.net/mmedinfo.asp

12 years ago

Thanks very much dweebette for taking the time to answer me. I do need to eat less anyway!! And thanks for sending me the link. I will check it out immediately. bless you xx

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