Thanks Dr. Grief-----my sister is a non-smoker, never HAS been a smoker. She recently had a standard chest xray (AP and LAT) which was reported radiographically as hyperlucency with expanded lung fields but no focal airspace consolidation. I guess this is suggestive of emphysematous change. She does have a strong history of allergies. She is 53.....and in fairly good health otherwise. There is no indication of heart disease or kidney disease. OUESTION
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. In my opinion it is nothing but age related changes. And if she is asymptotic than no need to worry at all. I advise you to get done Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) for the diagnosis of chronic bronchitis.  If PFT shows obstructive pattern than and then your sister needs treatment.  Otherwise, no need to treat emphysematous changes on chest x-ray. This can be a normal finding in some patients.  So no need to worry much. Get done PFT.