Question 1

what does having a barrel chest mean?

Accepted Answer

Lung disease: Barrel chest is a deformity of the chest wall that develops in response to chronic over-inflated lungs.  This is typically seen in patients with long standing, advanced emphysema, which is usually caused by smoking tobacco.

Question 2

what does a barrel chest mean for your health?

Accepted Answer

Nothing: It's purely a cosmetic issue, that can easily be fixed with bracing.

Question 3

what causes someone to have a barrel chest?

Accepted Answer

Chronic overaeration: Barrel chest deformities with increased anteroposterior chest diameters can be seen in obstructive forms of chronic pulmonary disease, such as cystic fibrosis and untreated or poorly controlled asthma. In older patients chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be cause. Arthritis may limit motion and cause chest deformitiy.

Question 4

how can barrel chest be corrected in adults?

Accepted Answer

Barrel chest: This is a characteristic you were born with and i would try to learn to live with it. I suppose if you really looked you could find a surgeon willing to do major surgery to correct it but i would not  adviceit.

Question 5

i'd like to correct my barrel chest (not sure of cause) as it affects my appearance and posture. is this possible?

Accepted Answer

Smoker? Asthma?: Unlikely that your barrel chest can be corrected. It may be secondary to any chronic lung problem which causes over expansion of the lungs like asthma, COPD, Emphysema, alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency. and others. Any history of smoking? Removing the inciting cause may slow progression.

Question 6

why do people have barrel chest? heredity?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: Genetics can certainly influence the shape of the thorax through the the way that genes control the growth of the ribs, vertebrae, and lungs. Folks with either genetic or environmental reasons for big lungs, like alpha-1-antitrypsin deficience and emphysema from smoking, can have barrel shaped chests. Certain rare conditions that affect bone growth can also cause this.

Question 7

is a pigeon chest and barrel chest the same thing?

Accepted Answer

No: A pigeon chest is a deformity of the sternum in teenagers called pectus carinitum or excavatum. These are usually not responsible for any symptoms but are mostly cosmetic. A barrel chest is the result of COPD or emphysema and is an over expansion of the lungs from smoking resulting in the entire rib cage billowing out ke a barrel.

Question 8

is barrel chest a protruding sternum?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily: A barrel chest commonly refers to the changes that occur from copd. A protruding chest is a description ofchanges to the sternum also sometimes referred to as pidgeon chest or pectus carnatum.

Question 9

what respiratory disease is "barrel chest" often indicative?

Accepted Answer

COPD: Typically barrel chest is found in patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); it is indicative of trapped air in the chest which affects the lateral (side) dimensions of the chest given the chest a rounded appearance.  It is typically found in severe or very severe COPD although has occassionally being described in patients with less severe disease.

Question 10

are there any differences between a barrel chest and pectus carinatum?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Barrel chest is an increase in the lateral (side) and front diameter of the chest.  Pectus carinum is an outward bowing of the upper breastbone (also known as pigeon chest.  Barrel chest is associated with COPD and pectus is usually from birth.

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What does having a barrel chest mean

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What does having a barrel chest mean?

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What does a barrel chest mean for your health?

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What causes someone to have a barrel chest?

A member asked:

How can barrel chest be corrected in adults?

A member asked:

I'd like to correct my barrel chest (not sure of cause) as it affects my appearance and posture. is this possible?

A member asked:

Why do people have barrel chest? heredity?

A member asked:

Is a pigeon chest and barrel chest the same thing?

A member asked:

Is barrel chest a protruding sternum?

A member asked:

What respiratory disease is "barrel chest" often indicative?

A member asked:

Are there any differences between a barrel chest and pectus carinatum?

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