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Are Hyperinflated Lungs And COPD Symptoms Due To Smoking For Eight Years?

Posted on Tue, 5 Mar 2024

Question: I had a chest x-ray because we thought I had a hiatal hernia and it showed hyperinflated lungs had a pulmonary function test came back very good could I later on end up with COPD symptoms or end up with COPD because of my hyper and Flame lungs or is it caused from 8 years of smoking I have quit smoking 7 years now

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry for COPD at present.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I can understand your concern.
First of all no need to worry for COPD at present because your PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) is above normal.
Hyperinflated lung fields are mostly due to previous history of smoking.
In my opinion, you should get done annual PFT to see for any decline in lung functions.
If you remain asymptomatic and your PFT values are not decreasing over years, no need to worry for COPD in the future.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (9 hours later)

Here is my test results pulmonary function test Fvc 120 fev1 113 and fef 25 -75% 90
So I could have hyperinflated lungs and not have COPD they could be that way forever because I smoked and caused some damage

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, you are not having COPD.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question.
I can understand your concern.
I have gone through the PFT values.
These are pretty good values.
So you are not having COPD for sure.
No need to worry for hyperinflated lungs on chest x ray.
And not all smokers develop COPD. Some lucky ones do not get any lung disease.
And this hyperinflated lungs is just radiological findings.
It has no significance if PFT is normal.
Please let me know
1. Do you have any respiratory symptoms?
2. Do you have allergies?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (21 minutes later)

I do not have any respiratory problems all around very healthy have had an EKG healthy have had a Holter monitor healthy I do have some allergies as in hayfever

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
What was the indication for chest x ray?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question.
I can understand your concern.
So COPD is not there in your case.
So what was the indication for chest x ray?
I mean why you went for chest x ray?
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng