COPD

Hyperinflated Lungs: The Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

What are Hyperinflated Lungs?

Hyperinflated lungs, as the term suggests, are the over-inflation of lungs. This means they have more air trapped inside than what is exhaled. This trapped air takes up space in your lungs and makes it harder for oxygen to enter your body. Due to the lack of air, your lungs try to get more, causing them to over-inflate and making lung tissue less flexible. In time, this can cause your lung tissue to deteriorate.

Hyperinflation is one of the complications of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD is a term for the group of lung diseases caused by irritants, gases, and majorly cigarette smoke. This inflammation narrows your airways, limits airflow, and makes breathing difficult. When the airways become narrow, the air gets trapped in the lungs. There are two types of hyperinflation:

1. Static hyperinflation - occurs when you are at rest and causes air to become trapped while exhaling. 
2. Dynamic hyperinflation -This can happen during physical activity or at rest and causes air to be trapped while inhaling.

Symptoms of Hyperinflated Lungs

Any condition that affects the lungs directly impacts breathing. Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing are the first symptoms of hyperinflated lungs and can be caused by exercising or even by taking a leisurely walk.Symptoms of COPD include - 

• Tightness in the chest
• Chronic coughing with or without mucus
• A need to clear mucus from the lungs every day
• Frequent respiratory infections or cold
• Low energy

The ribs and muscles near the lungs may stretch to make room for over-inflated lungs. This pressure can cause the diaphragm to become flat, lose its tone, and eventually stop working. When this occurs, it becomes difficult to inhale and exhale.

What Causes Hyperinflated Lungs?

Inflammation caused by irritants, gases, and cigarette smoke is the main cause of hyperinflated lungs. Other culprits are illnesses from the COPD group, such as:

1. Emphysema – this disease destroys the air sacs in our lungs, called alveoli. These air sacs are responsible for releasing oxygen and carbon dioxide.
2. Chronic bronchitis - causes inflammation in the airway tubes, called bronchi.
3. Chronic obstructive asthma - narrows the airways and causes coughing, wheezing, and breathing problems.

Hyperinflated Lungs Treatment

These treatments mainly aim to reduce lung inflammation and increase their ability to deflate. Some of the methods are:

1. Oxygen Therapy: Also known as supplemental oxygen, oxygen concentrators and nasal cannula are used to get more air into the lungs.
2. Pulmonary Rehab: This method uses breathing exercises, nutrition, and lifestyle changes guided by a medical professional.
3. Medications: Drugs to reduce inflammation and open the airways may be prescribed.
4. Surgery: If the above methods do not provide relief, your doctor may suggest surgery such as a lung volume reduction surgery, a bullectomy, or a lung transplant.

Where to buy products for oxygen therapy?

HPFY carries a full range of products to help with respiratory conditions. Some of our best-sellers include:

Hyperinflated lungs have excess air trapped inside the lungs, which makes it difficult to breathe. The airways become inflamed, which leads to shortness of breath and breathing problems. Reach out to a medical professional if you feel excessive discomfort.

 

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