Ask a doctor on the topic of General medicine

Question about the lung

July 19, 2017 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Hello Dr. Gehring. Unfortunately, I have to send you another question regarding your last response (I, male 24, lupus patient). About 1.5 years ago, this mild lung overinflation was diagnosed, and your information about it has left me a bit confused. By the way, the blood most likely came from the gums, as I have seen it bleed directly from the front two more times.

Now, regarding the lungs, as I mentioned, I still have no complaints. However, you mentioned that regular pulmonary function tests should be conducted. What could be the issue? You only mentioned bronchial constriction. However, I often read about lung emphysema, which can also be caused by a specific gene and not just by smoking. The only symptom I notice is this strange resistance when I turn to the left and exhale deeply, but also sometimes during normal strong exhalation, there is a slight buzzing sound. This exhalation is not a strong exhalation in the traditional sense, it's more of a "sighing out" where one can sometimes provoke a noise, even with my girlfriend, for example. I am afraid of a bronchial collapse due to lung emphysema and I wonder how it would be treated. What do you say about this? Is my fear completely exaggerated again? Greetings

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Good day,

Right from the start: Yes, your fear is really exaggerated!

The genetically caused lung emphysema is based on a metabolic defect, a deficiency of Alpha1-Antitrypsin. This is a congenital deficiency that quickly leads to pronounced pulmonary emphysema, which would have been noticed in you a long time ago.
I suggested the lung function test because it can detect bronchial constriction early on and you have occasionally described a feeling of resistance. However, if everything is always okay, I would skip it after 3 years. It is not the lung emphysema that causes bronchial collapse, but rather bronchial constriction causes lung emphysema (in the long run).
But of course, there are plenty of medications that are effective against such constriction.

Please forget your fear!

Warm regards, Dr. Gehring