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Understanding Hyperinflated Lungs & Their Management

Understanding Hyperinflated Lungs & Their Management
Akanksha Nigam

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.

Mild Hyperinflated Lungs Symptoms

Any condition that affects the lungs directly impacts breathing. Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing are some mild hyperinflated lungs symptoms 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.

What is the Treatment for Hyperinflated Lungs?

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 to manage mild hyperinflated lungs symptoms?

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

1. Invacare HomeFill CGA870 Post valve Cylinder

FSA Eligible Items FSA Approved

Designed to provide oxygen to people who find it difficult to breathe. It allows the user to vary the duration of the oxygen therapy.

Features of Invacare HomeFill CGA870 Post Valve Cylinder

  • Lightweight aluminum oxygen cylinder.
  • Provides the added convenience of filling oxygen on own time.
  • Compatible with the CGA870 post-valve regulator.
Invacare HomeFill CGA870 Post Valve Cylinders

 

 

2. Invacare Perfecto2 V Five Liter Oxygen concentrator

FSA Eligible Items FSA Approved

Supplies oxygen to those who face respiratory challenges. It is small in size, lightweight, and designed for indoor use.

Features of Invacare Perfecto2 V Five Liter Oxygen concentrator

  • User-friendly design with an easy-to-see control panel and a humidifier bottle holder.
  • Three filters assure oxygen purity.
  • Wheels and a top handle for easy mobility.
  • Low noise - does not disturb sleep.
  • Minimizes emergency calls with the reset button that is easily accessible by the user.
Invacare Perfecto2 V Five Liter Oxygen Concentrator With SensO2 Oxygen Sensor

 

 

3. Allied Simple Medium Concentration Oxygen Mask

FSA Eligible Items FSA Approved Made in USA Made In USA

This oxygen mask provides a safe way to transfer an optimal amount of oxygen from the nose or mouth.

Features of Allied Simple Medium Concentration Oxygen Mask

  • Clear and soft vinyl construction.
  • Adjustable nose clip to suit the user’s needs.
  • Newly designed soft connecting tube has an easier fit.
  • Barbed fittings to prevent patient disconnect.
  • Available in adult and pediatric sizes.
Allied Simple Medium Concentration Oxygen Mask

 

 

4. Kaz Vicks Personal Steam Inhaler

FSA Eligible Items FSA Approved

Get comforting sinus relief from allergies, congestion, and colds. It provides a steady and targeted steam flow directly to the nose and throat. Inhaling steam for 5 to 15 minutes at once and repeating it 2-3 times a day would suffice.

Features of Kaz Vicks Personal Steam Inhaler

  • Enables user to breathe better and sleep peacefully
  • Option to control steam level and temperature
  • Soft facial hood fits facial contour comfortably
  • Compact, lightweight, and portable
Kaz Vicks Personal Steam Inhaler

 

 

5. Himalayan Institute Eco Travel Neti Pot

FSA Eligible Items FSA Approved

Neti Pot helps keep the mucus layer in the nasal passage clean and moist. It dispenses an optimal flow to cleanse the sinus passages, soothe dryness, and wash away contaminants.

Features of Himalayan Institute Eco Travel Neti Pot

  • Removes excess mucus that causes congestion
  • Removes pollen and other allergens from nostrils
  • Cleanses the nasal membranes of dust and other contaminants
  • Easy-to-use and biodegradable
Himalayan Institute Eco Travel Neti Pot

 

 

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.

Hyperinflated Lungs: Understanding Excessive Air Trapping

Hyperinflated lungs occur when the lungs become overly expanded due to an excessive buildup of air. This condition is often associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly emphysema, where the air sacs (alveoli) are damaged and lose their elasticity. Hyperinflation can lead to difficulty breathing, reduced airflow, and decreased lung function. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, chronic cough, and a barrel-shaped chest. Management typically involves medications, breathing exercises, and lifestyle changes to improve lung function and quality of life. 

 

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Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics, and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our reviewed content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.


HPFY Akanksha Nigam

Akanksha Nigam

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Akanksha Nigam has been a Health Products For You contributor since 2021. With a Masters Degree in Finance, she began her Marketing career in the banking industry. However, her interest in human ...

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