Crackles heard in clear lungs?!
Question: Had a severe asthma attack a little over a week ago and also had bronchitis. Saw the pulmonologist today and he said he heard crackles in my lower lung (near my lower back). Asked me to deeply breathe a few times and then said it went away and told me my lungs were clear.
What causes crackles in clear lungs?
Answers: Had a severe asthma attack a little over a week ago and also had bronchitis. Saw the pulmonologist today and he said he heard crackles in my lower lung (near my lower back). Asked me to deeply breathe a few times and then said it went away and told me my lungs were clear.
What causes crackles in clear lungs?
While the crackles could be caused by fluid they wouldn't have cleared witht he deep breathing. Only coughing the fluid out or removing it via the normal excretion process would have removed it. However, atelectasis which is collapsed or partially collapsed air sacs can cause the crackle sound. You have a small receptor in each alveoli or air sac that when you take in a deep breath triggers the release of a very important type of fluid call surfactant the keeps them open. The crackle sound is the alveoli popping open and after you take in a few deep breaths they stay open in normal healthy people. That is why we have patients do a lot of deep breathing and coughing in the hospital when they are laid up in bed.
Fluid or mucus and in younger people, can be cleared by coughing.
Crackles or rhales are caused by fluid or mucous being trapped in small airways. When you took a deep breath the mucous moved out of the smaller airway and probably into a bigger one. If you are just getting over bronchitis this is expected and nothing to worry about. If you develop more congestion or coughing see your doctor.