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From what I understand, hyperinflation can occur in patients with asthma or COPD. A new breath begins before the lungs reach static equilibrium volume because they have decreased elastance, meaning that they don't recoil to their original size after a previous ventilation cycle.
So do I have this right? A patient inhales, the inspiratory muscles increase the volume of the lungs, dropping the pressure in the lungs below atmospheric pressure so that air rushes in. Then, during expiration, air leaves the lungs and the lungs decrease in size. However, they do not decrease as much as they should, and some of the air is left in the lungs. This results in a higher resting pressure of the lungs than normal. So this translates to more work needed from the patient's inspiratory muscles to stretch the lungs and drop pressure so that inspiration can occur? It is more difficult because the pressure must now drop from a higher resting value?
So do I have this right? A patient inhales, the inspiratory muscles increase the volume of the lungs, dropping the pressure in the lungs below atmospheric pressure so that air rushes in. Then, during expiration, air leaves the lungs and the lungs decrease in size. However, they do not decrease as much as they should, and some of the air is left in the lungs. This results in a higher resting pressure of the lungs than normal. So this translates to more work needed from the patient's inspiratory muscles to stretch the lungs and drop pressure so that inspiration can occur? It is more difficult because the pressure must now drop from a higher resting value?
