BARREL CHEST SEEN IN? : Causes, Underlying Conditions, COPD (Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis), Treatment
Barrel chest refers to an increase in the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest wall resembling the shape of a barrel, most often associated with emphysema.
What causes a barrel chest?
It occurs because the lungs are chronically overinflated with air, so the rib cage stays partially expanded all the time. This makes breathing less efficient and aggravates shortness of breath. Barrel chest can also relate to a rounding in the shape of the rib cage as some people age.
Is barrel chest good or bad?
There is no treatment for barrel chest specifically, because on its own having a barrel chest is not bad for your health. What really matters is the underlying cause, and any treatment for barrel chest will focus on treating the underlying medical conditions that caused it.
What does Barrel Chested mean?
The term "barrel chest" describes a rounded, bulging chest that resembles the shape of a barrel
Can you get rid of a barrel chest?
The treatment of barrel chest focuses on managing symptoms of the underlying condition and limiting the extent of lung damage. As COPD, emphysema, and osteoarthritis are progressive conditions with no cure, live a smoke-free, active lifestyle is important for reducing the risk of these conditions.
How does barrel chest affect breathing?
A barrel chest forms because your lungs are chronically overfilled with air and can't deflate normally. This causes your rib cage to be partially expanded at all times. A barrel chest can worsen existing breathing problems from COPD, making it even harder for you to catch your breath.
Does chronic bronchitis have barrel chest?
Patients with chronic bronchitis will have symptoms such as shortness of breath, chronic cough, excessive mucus production and wheezing which can lead to pulmonary hypertension. Patients with emphysema have symptoms such as a barrel chest, enlarged lungs, shortness of breath, and weight loss.
What is the normal shape of chest?
Normal findings for chest inspection include: Side to side symmetric chest shape. Distance from the front to the back of the chest (anterior-posterior diameter) less than the size of the chest from side to side (transverse diameter)
What is chest deformity?
A chest wall deformity is a structural abnormality of the chest that can range from mild to severe. Chest wall deformities occur when the cartilage that connects the ribs grows unevenly
The term "barrel chest" describes a rounded, bulging chest that resembles the shape of a barrel. Barrel chest isn't a disease, but it may indicate an underlying condition.
Some people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — such as emphysema — develop a slight barrel chest in the later stages of the disease. It occurs because the lungs are chronically overinflated with air, so the rib cage stays partially expanded all the time. This makes breathing less efficient and aggravates shortness of breath.
Barrel chest can also relate to a rounding in the shape of the rib cage as some people age. The ribs may angle outward at the joints where they attach to the spine and become fixed in their most expanded position. The barrel shape of the rib cage may be more pronounced in older adults who also have an exaggerated, forward rounding of the back (kyphosis).
Generally, barrel chest itself isn't treated, but when the cause is severe emphysema or another disease, the underlying disease is treated
Symptoms and signs often associated with barrel chest include:2
Difficulty breathing
Shortness of breath
Stiffness
Reduced oxygen saturation level
High levels of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream
Limited ability to exercise
Posture changes
Diagnosis
Barrel chest is a visible symptom, so your doctor should be able to spot it on examination. They may also perform pulmonary function tests (e.g., spirometry) and bloodwork (e.g., a complete blood count and arterial blood gases) to assess how well your lungs are working.
Treatment
The main goal of treatment is addressing the condition causing barrel chest to both manage symptoms and prevent further progression. While treatments will vary depending on the cause of barrel chest, reducing the inflammation leading to inefficient breathing is essential.
Barrel chest may be caused by several different factors, and it's ultimately a visual signal of something bigger. This sign usually appears in the later stages of certain conditions like emphysema and osteoarthritis and should be taken as a possible indication of severe lung damage. While the condition itself is not usually reversible, work with your healthcare team to find ways to manage your symptoms and hopefully make breathing a little bit easier.
Findings indicating COPD include:
An expanded chest (barrel chest).
Wheezing during normal breathing.
Taking longer to exhale fully.
Decreased breath sounds or abnormal breath sounds such as crackles or wheezes.
