Pulmonary hyperinflation is chronic and excessive inhalation or expansion of the lungs. It can be caused by an exaggerated amount of carbon dioxide trapped in the lungs or a loss of elasticity due to some lung disease. Another cause can be an obstruction in the bronchial tubes or alveoli, the passages that carry air to the tissues of the lungs. To recognize this disease, you need to identify the causes, symptoms and then go to a doctor for an official diagnosis.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms
Step 1. Pay attention to the change in breath
Do you have difficulty or pain when you breathe in air? Do you feel like you are not getting enough oxygen? This sensation is not an automatic indicator of lung hyperinflation, but it is a sign to watch for when it occurs in conjunction with other symptoms.
Step 2. Check for chronic cough
Coughing is often a side effect of several lung conditions, in addition to cigarette smoking. Pulmonary hyperinflation leads to a chronic, wheezing cough that disrupts normal daily activities.
- If you suffer from this disease, you have difficulty walking uphill and tend to cough easily. If you have a chronic cough that doesn't go away after two weeks, you should see your doctor for a diagnosis.
- See if you make a whistling or hissing sound when you inhale. This could indicate reduced lung elasticity, a clear symptom of hyperinflation.
Step 3. Look for other changes in the body
If they occur in combination with the symptoms described so far, you may be suffering from this condition. Pay attention to:
- Frequent diseases such as bronchitis;
- Weight loss;
- Sleep disruption
- Swollen ankles
- Exhaustion.
Part 2 of 3: Getting a Medical Diagnosis
Step 1. Tell your doctor about your medical history and have an examination
First, he or she will likely want to take a medical history to find out about your current and previous general health. There are several factors that can indicate hyperinflation, including:
- A family history of lung diseases, such as lung cancer, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Current habits, such as smoking or vigorous physical activity
- Environment, for example if you are in a polluted city or live with a smoker;
- Current medical conditions, such as asthma or mental health problems such as generalized anxiety disorder.
Step 2. Get a chest X-ray
X-rays generate an image of the lungs, airways, blood vessels, bones of the chest and spine. This is a useful procedure for identifying the possible presence of hyperinflation.
- Through the x-ray it is possible to identify any fluids and air present around the lungs, which would indicate an underlying problem such as COPD or cancer. These pathologies could be the cause of hyperinflation; so, the sooner you are diagnosed the better.
- Hyperinflation occurs when the plates reveal contact of the anterior part of the fifth or sixth rib with the center of the diaphragm. When more than six ribs touch the diaphragm, the x-ray picture is compatible with the diagnosis of hyperinflation.
Step 3. Get a computed tomography scan
This diagnostic test uses X-rays to recreate a three-dimensional image of the body that shows the extent of lung damage caused by the disease.
- Computed tomography detects an increase in the size of the lungs and may also show air trapped in one or both organs. This typically appears as a black spot on the plate.
- Sometimes, a special dye is used during tomography to highlight the irradiated areas. It is usually given by mouth, as an enema, or through an injection; however, it is quite rare during a chest exam. During the procedure you will need to wear a hospital gown and remove all personal items, such as jewelry or glasses, as they may interfere.
- You will need to lie down on a motorized bed that slides through a donut-shaped machine. A technician will communicate with you from another room; it may ask you to hold your breath at certain times of the exam. This is a painless procedure that takes about 30 minutes.
Step 4. Do lung function tests (spirometry)
They are designed to measure respiratory capacity and the general functioning of the lungs. To confirm the diagnosis of lung hyperinflation, two numerical values are evaluated during the test.
- FEV1 or FEV1 (Maximum Expiratory Volume in the I Second): represents the amount of air that you can blow from the lungs during the first second of exhalation;
- FVC (Forced Vital Capacity): indicates the total amount of air you can exhale.
- The normal FEV1 / FVC ratio should be greater than 70%. A lower percentage indicates lung hyperinflation, as the patient is unable to exhale air as fast as a healthy person.
- During the examination, the doctor uses instruments to measure the breath. Although this is painless, you may experience shortness of breath as you will need to breathe quickly and forcefully. Do not smoke and do not eat a large meal 4-6 hours prior to spirometry.
Part 3 of 3: Assessing the Risk
Step 1. Learn about the effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
This disease develops when there is an obstruction in the lungs that impairs air flow. It is usually treated by monitoring and controlling symptoms through a combination of medications and lifestyle changes. Hyperinflation is often caused precisely by COPD; if you have been diagnosed with this condition, you run a greater risk of hyperinflation.
To manage COPD, doctors recommend changing certain habits and taking prescription medications. If you are a smoker, it is important to quit. If you aggravate the symptoms of this disease by neglecting medications and continuing to smoke, you increase the chances of developing hyperinflation
Step 2. Be aware of the effects of asthma
It is the consequence of inflammation of the airways. Depending on the severity of the attacks, edema can interfere with the flow of air to the lungs. Over time, this condition can develop into hyperinflation. Treatment for asthma involves careful planning with your doctor, which includes a variety of medications, lifestyle changes, and management of asthma attacks. Discuss with a pulmonologist to find the best way to manage asthma and avoid hyperinflation.
Step 3. Learn what the effects of cystic fibrosis are
It is a chronic disease that affects various organs and systems of the body. It is an inherited disorder of the exocrine glands characterized by an abnormal production of mucus that tends to become thicker and sticky than normal, blocking the airways. Like any other disease that blocks the airways, cystic fibrosis can cause hyperinflation. If you have this condition, you run a serious risk of hyperinflation.
