I had a chest x-ray completed recently as part of routine tests related to something else. I have no respiratory issues such as cough and no history of asthma (that I know of) but I easily get out of breath. I get out of breath walking up stairs and really doing anything with any exertion. I have put this down to not being very fit although it has made it difficult to progress with things like couch to 5k when I have tried this. I also often feel as if I can't take a deep enough breath. I am not overweight and have a BMI of 20.
The chest x-ray showed hyperinflation of the lungs, blunting of costophrenic angles and flattening of the diaphragm. I have not had the chance to speak to my GP about this yet but from googling it is concerning to have these findings. I am mid 40s and a non smoker though smoked a small amount on and off in my teens and twenties. Both of my parents had COPD but were longterm smokers. Google is telling me that these findings on a chest x-ray indicate lung disease such as emphysema, COPD etc.
Has anyone experienced anything similar? Any suggestions about what I should be asking my GP? At the least I'm wondering if I should be on an inhaler and if this would help me have more success with exercise.