Canada
A 42-year-old female asked:
My chest x-ray indicated my lungs are hyper-inflated. what causes this? no asthma & non-smoker.
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 33 years experience
Smoke-damaged lungs: Hyperinflated lungs implies smoke-damage, which leads to emphysema, which leads to copd. If you haven't already, stop smoking -- you will live 10 years longer than your 42yo friends that keep smoking! the inhalers you're using are #1 steroid for lung inflammation, and #2 bronchodilator for coughing/wheezing. With luck, after 1-2mo you can stop #2 and maintain on #1, assuming you can quit smoking.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Bruce J. Stringeranswered
Radiology 47 years experience
Maybe Nothing: Slim healthy people are sometimes able to take such a good inspiration that their lungs appear, "hyper inflated"! in the absence of any history or symptomatology of lung disease or smoking, i wouldn't worry. Some people may be congenitally deficient in Alpha 1 anti-trypsin and develop emphysema but they would also be symptomatic.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Jul 17, 2018
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $39!
50% off with $15/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.