Xray tech said I had long lungs

[trishw148]

Is this a symptom of COPD.  I am 50, smoked from 1979 - 1988.  Don't cough.  I am a very deep breather and only breath about 10 times a minute.  When anxious I feel like I can't get enough air and keep trying to yawn.  Had an xray today because found out an xray from 2008 which I was told was fine, actually showed small nodule (prob nipple) and hyperairation.  I didn't breath as deeply today for the xray trying to avoid that hypoairation scare but the xray tech said I had really long lungs and she had to take two films from the back to get them in.  I'm a woman 5'7" 110 lbs.  Can this be emphasema?  If I stopped smoking in 1988 would it basically be chronic, stable emphasema?

Thanks; I am a worry wort.  I should be worrying about the nodule.

[trishw148]

Thank you.  Though the tech commented on my long lungs, there ended up being no mention of it in the radiologist report.  My chest xray was normal.  Since I have no problems with exercise, I'm going to let this one go.  

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
Long lungs can be due to hyper-inflation. Hyper-inflated lungs can occur due to chronic obstructive lung disorder such as asthma, emphysema or cystic fibrosis. Since you have only 10 breaths per minute, you should consult a lung specialist. You will need pulmonary function tests. Since you gave up smoking long ago, chances are that the disease—asthma or emphysema is in a stable stage. However, you may still require treatment. Please discuss with your doctor. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.