Barrel chest describes a rounded, bulging chest similar in shape to a barrel.
Barrel chest can also occur with cystic fibrosis, severe asthma, and other health issues.
Symptoms
Barrel chest looks like someone is taking a deep breath and holding it.
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Barrel chest is not usually painful.
Muscle wasting often develops in later-stageemphysema.This leads to a loss of external support that further leads to deformity.
So can other genetic and environmental factors, many of which are not fully reversible.
Exceptions include children who havecystic fibrosisor severeasthma; in these cases, barrel chest may be somewhat reversible.
Emphysema
Emphysema is one of the two diseases that comprise chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
It can also cause progressive damage to the bones and cartilage of the back and thorax.
Severe Asthma
Severe asthmais a common cause of barrel chest in children.
This is due, in part, to the effects of asthma on the still-developing rib cage and chest.
Asthma causes the air passages to constrict and narrow.
As air becomes trapped in the lungs, a child’s chest can take on a barrel-like appearance.
Genetic Disorders
Some rare genetic disorders can cause barrel chests.
There also is a higher risk of genetic conditions includingMarfan syndromeandEhlers-Danlos Syndrome.
However, the approaches to diagnosis can depend on the specific context.
Treatment
The main goals of treatment are to manage symptoms and prevent further progression.
Treatments will vary depending on the cause of barrel chest.
In the case of emphysema and osteoarthritis, reducing inflammation and improving breathing is essential.
Cystic fibrosis also affects lung development due in part to recurrent bouts of bacterial infection.
Barrel chest in children who have asthma will generally reverse once the symptoms are brought under control.
Other conditions that can lead to barrel chest include cystic fibrosis, osteoarthritis, and certain genetic-related diseases.
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