COPD can cause many changes to a person’s body

Those of us with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience many physical changes. Some of these changes are inconsequential while others are significant.

One of the more curious and seemingly inconsequential changes is in the frequency of my yawns. Although I can still yawn, I don’t feel the urge as often as I did before I was placed on supplemental oxygen for my COPD.

Sources seem to disagree about why people yawn. According to a 2008 review article in the journal Physiology & Behavior, some evidence suggests that yawning could be a way for the body to regulate its temperature while another theory is that yawning can help regulate carbon dioxide and oxygen levels.

If yawning were a bodily response to low oxygen levels, perhaps that would explain why many people with COPD seem to yawn a lot — and why I yawn less now that I’m on supplemental oxygen. However, that theory is now understood to be a myth. The review article notes, “Contrary to public opinion … having subjects breathe increased levels of oxygen or carbon dioxide leaves yawning unaffected.”

I haven’t found an answer for why I seldom yawn now, but an interesting side note is that I’ve yawned several times while researching for this column. Yawning really is contagious!

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Hyperinflated lungs

Another more consequential change is hyperinflated lungs, which occurs when air and mucus get trapped there. That can result in shortness of breath, tissue damage in the heart and lungs, and even heart failure.

I have several friends with hyperinflated lungs who struggle to unload the dishwasher and do other chores that require them to bend over. My lungs are also hyperinflated because of COPD, but I don’t experience the same challenges as my friends.

Treatment for hyperinflated lungs may include bronchodilators, supplemental oxygen, or breathing techniques. Surgical interventions such as lung reduction surgery or valve placement (as with Olympus’ Spiration Valve System or Pulmonx’s Zephyr Valve) may be appropriate for some patients. It’s important to check with your care team about the risks and benefits of any treatments or procedures.

Barrel chest

I’ve become barrel-chested because of my COPD. The fact that I’ve put on more weight than I normally carry emphasizes the condition. A barrel chest — a rounded, bulging chest resembling the shape of a barrel — may develop for various reasons. One possible cause is lung hyperinflation, which causes the rib cage to remain partly expanded.

This condition gives me another reason to practice pursed lip breathing, which can help get rid of air trapped in the lungs.

This technique involves breathing in through the nose and breathing out through pursed lips, as if you’re about to whistle or blow out a candle. My provider recommends exhaling for twice as long as I inhale. The purpose of pursed lip breathing is to slow one’s breathing and help eliminate excess air from the lungs.

Although COPD can cause unwanted changes in our physical bodies, medically approved solutions may help. The COPD Foundation, the American Lung Association, and COPD News Today all share reliable information that can help you and your medical team make an informed decision about your care and treatment.

Note: COPD News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of COPD News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.