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Hyperinflation
- Question
- Dear expert team,
This is my question:
Which value of the lung function test indicates hyperinflation? Which are the standard values of a healthy person?
Many greetings,
T.
- Answer
- Hello T.,
This can only be measured with a body plethysmograph – looking like a phone booth – that is often used to measure the lung function.
The value indicating hyperinflation is the residual volume (RV) which is the amount of air in your lungs after you have exhaled completely (maximal expiratory effort). If this amount is very high this is causing problems: one cannot inhale and exhale that much in general if too much air remains in the lungs.
Usually, the value is under 100%, 140% is medium hyperinflated and more than 170% is severely hyperinflated.
Best regards,
Prof. Joachim Bargon
- 06.06.2015
