In medical terms, barrel chest is a condition in which a person's chest appears to be partially inflated all the time, with the rib cage broadened as if they are taking a deep breath. The person may find it hard to breathe normally.
A barrel chest may be the result of arthritis or a serious respiratory problem, known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
A barrel chest does not always require medical treatment, but when it is a symptom of COPD, the breathing problems that cause the condition need to be treated.
