Lung Expansion Problems
The lungs act as two of the most important organs in the human body. They bring oxygen into the body when they expand, so it is important that problems with lung expansion be corrected when they occur. There are three main types of lung expansion problems, each of which is treatable.
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Diseases and Conditions
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Some lung expansion issues are related to diseases and physical conditions. In the lungs, small sacs of tissue called alveoli store oxygen, which gets diffused from the alveoli into the bloodstream. Many diseases prevent the alveoli from expanding properly. For instance, in newborns, respiratory distress syndrome occurs when a lack of a substance that coats the aveoli prevents the alveoli from staying open. Another common condition that affects alveoli expansion is asthma. Other illnesses, such as the common cold, can cause the lungs to be filled with more fluid and mucus than normal, and cancer tumors can create blockages that keep the lungs from expanding completely.
Posture
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In order for the lungs to expand fully, the abdominal muscles need to be able to fully relax while the ribcage expands. As the abdominal muscles relax, air rushes into the lungs to neutralize the difference in air pressure. The more that a person is hunched over, the less room there is for the abdominal muscles to relax, thus the lungs will not expand as much because there is not a way to create a sufficient difference in air pressure. Standing and sitting up straight can improve postural lung expansion problems significantly and lead to better oxygen intake.
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Injury
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Injuries can prevent blockages in the lungs or cause them to be unable to fill with air. For instance, if a person breaks a rib, this may allow a pocket of air to get in between the lung and the wall of the chest. If this happens, the lung cannot expand.
Symptoms
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Symptoms of a lung expansion problem may include a feeling of tightness in the chest, fatigue, pain, or dizziness. These symptoms usually dissipate with treatment.
Treatment
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Treatment for lung expansion problems vary based on the cause. For postural problems, the Alexander technique, chiropractic care, or even massage can help realign the body and help an individual be more aware of how they are taking a breath. Some problems, such as asthma, can be helped with medications or inhalers. For serious expansion problems caused by certain diseases or injury, surgery may be needed.
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