Which condition is indicated by a barrel-shaped chest and pursed-lip breathing?

A barrel-shaped chest and pursed-lip breathing are classic characteristics often associated with emphysema, which is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

In emphysema, the air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) are damaged and lose their elasticity, leading to air being trapped in the lungs and making it difficult to exhale. This can cause the chest to take on a barrel shape due to over-inflation. Pursed-lip breathing is a technique commonly used by individuals with this condition to help control their breathing. By inhaling through the nose and exhaling slowly through pursed lips, patients can improve airflow and reduce the feelings of breathlessness.

This combination of symptoms is less typical for pneumonia, asthma, or bronchitis. While these conditions may involve breathing difficulties, they do not characteristically present with the specific physical appearance of a barrel chest or the use of pursed-lip breathing as a common coping mechanism.