Pneumothorax (patient information): Difference between revisions
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{{Pneumothorax (patient information)}} | |||
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Pneumothorax|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Pneumothorax|here]]''' | ||
{{ | {{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' [[User: Mohammed Sbeih|Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D.]][mailto:msbeih@wikidoc.org], {{HQ}} | ||
==Overview== | |||
A [[collapsed lung]], or [[pneumothorax]], is the collection of air in the space around the [[lungs]]. This buildup of air puts pressure on the [[lung]], so it cannot expand as much as it normally does when you take a [[breath]]. | |||
==What are the symptoms of Pneumothorax?== | |||
Almost everyone who has a [[collapsed lung]] has the following symptoms: | |||
*Sharp [[chest pain]], made worse by a deep [[breath]] or a [[cough]] | |||
*[[Shortness of breath]] | |||
A larger [[pneumothorax]] will cause more severe symptoms, including: | |||
*[[Chest tightness]] | |||
*Easy [[fatigue]] | |||
*Rapid [[heart rate]] | |||
*Bluish color of the [[skin]] caused by lack of [[oxygen]] | |||
Symptoms may begin during rest or [[sleep]]. | |||
Other symptoms that can occur with a [[collapsed lung]] include: | |||
*Nasal flaring | |||
*[[Low blood pressure]] ([[hypotension]]) | |||
==What causes Pneumothorax?== | |||
A [[collapsed lung]] may result from [[chest trauma]], such as gunshot or knife [[wounds]], [[rib fracture]], or after certain [[medical procedures]]. | |||
In some cases, a [[collapsed lung]] occurs without any cause. This is called a [[spontaneous pneumothorax]]. A small area in the [[lung]] that is filled with air, called a [[bleb]], ruptures, and the air leaks into the space around the [[lung]]. | |||
Certain activities may lead to a [[collapsed lung]]. These include scuba diving, smoking marijuana or cigarettes, high altitude hiking, and flying. | |||
==Who is at highest risk for Pneumothorax?== | |||
Tall, thin people are more likely to develop a [[collapsed lung]]. | |||
[[Lung diseases]] such as [[COPD]], [[asthma]], [[cystic fibrosis]], [[tuberculosis]], and [[whooping cough]] also increase your risk for a [[collapsed lung]]. | |||
== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Call your [[health care provider]] if you have symptoms of a [[collapsed lung]], especially if you have had one before. | |||
==Diagnosis== | |||
There are decreased or no [[breath sounds]] on the affected side when heard through a [[stethoscope]]. | |||
Tests include: | |||
*[[Chest x-ray]] to tell whether there is air outside the [[lung]] | |||
*[[Arterial blood gases]] | |||
== | ==Treatment options== | ||
A small [[pneumothorax]] may go away on its own. You may only need [[oxygen]] and rest. The [[health care provider]] may use a [[needle]] to pull the extra air out from around the [[lung]] so it can expand more fully. You may be allowed to go home if you live near the hospital. | |||
If you have a large [[pneumothorax]], a [[chest tube]] will be placed between the [[ribs]] into the space around the [[lungs]] to help drain the air and allows the [[lung]] to re-expand. | |||
The [[chest tube]] can be left in place for several days. You must stay in the hospital while the [[chest tube]] is in place. | |||
Some patients with a [[collapsed lung]] need extra [[oxygen]], which helps the air around the [[lung]] be reabsorbed more quickly. | |||
[[Lung surgery]] may be needed to treat your [[pneumothorax]] or to prevent future episodes. The area where the leak occurred may be repaired. Sometimes, a special chemical is placed into the area of the [[collapsed lung]]. This chemical causes a [[scar]] to form. | |||
==Where to find medical care for Pneumothorax?== | |||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Pneumothorax}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Pneumothorax] | |||
== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
If you have a [[collapsed lung]], you are more likely to have another one in the future if you: | |||
*Are tall and thin | |||
*Continue to smoke | |||
*Have had two [[collapsed lungs]] in the past | |||
How well a person does after having a [[collapsed lung]] depends on what caused it. | |||
== | ==Possible complications== | ||
[ | *Another [[collapsed lung]] in the future | ||
*[[Shock]] | |||
==Prevention | ==Prevention== | ||
There is no known way to prevent a [[collapsed lung]], but you can decrease your risk by not smoking. | |||
==Sources== | |||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000087.htm | |||
[[Category:Disease]] | |||
[[Category:Overview complete]] | |||
[[Category:Template complete]] | |||
[[Category:Patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Surgery patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Thoracic surgery patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Surgery]] | |||
[[Category:Thoracic surgery]] | |||
[[Category:Pulmonary patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Pulmonology]] | |||
[[Category:Emergency medicine]] | |||
[[Category:Intensive care medicine]] | |||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | {{WS}} | ||
Latest revision as of 17:18, 18 February 2018
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Pneumothorax |
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Pneumothorax On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D.[2], Hamid Qazi, MD, BSc [3]
Overview
A collapsed lung, or pneumothorax, is the collection of air in the space around the lungs. This buildup of air puts pressure on the lung, so it cannot expand as much as it normally does when you take a breath.
What are the symptoms of Pneumothorax?
Almost everyone who has a collapsed lung has the following symptoms:
- Sharp chest pain, made worse by a deep breath or a cough
- Shortness of breath
A larger pneumothorax will cause more severe symptoms, including:
- Chest tightness
- Easy fatigue
- Rapid heart rate
- Bluish color of the skin caused by lack of oxygen
Symptoms may begin during rest or sleep.
Other symptoms that can occur with a collapsed lung include:
- Nasal flaring
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
What causes Pneumothorax?
A collapsed lung may result from chest trauma, such as gunshot or knife wounds, rib fracture, or after certain medical procedures.
In some cases, a collapsed lung occurs without any cause. This is called a spontaneous pneumothorax. A small area in the lung that is filled with air, called a bleb, ruptures, and the air leaks into the space around the lung.
Certain activities may lead to a collapsed lung. These include scuba diving, smoking marijuana or cigarettes, high altitude hiking, and flying.
Who is at highest risk for Pneumothorax?
Tall, thin people are more likely to develop a collapsed lung.
Lung diseases such as COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis, and whooping cough also increase your risk for a collapsed lung.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of a collapsed lung, especially if you have had one before.
Diagnosis
There are decreased or no breath sounds on the affected side when heard through a stethoscope. Tests include:
- Chest x-ray to tell whether there is air outside the lung
- Arterial blood gases
Treatment options
A small pneumothorax may go away on its own. You may only need oxygen and rest. The health care provider may use a needle to pull the extra air out from around the lung so it can expand more fully. You may be allowed to go home if you live near the hospital.
If you have a large pneumothorax, a chest tube will be placed between the ribs into the space around the lungs to help drain the air and allows the lung to re-expand.
The chest tube can be left in place for several days. You must stay in the hospital while the chest tube is in place.
Some patients with a collapsed lung need extra oxygen, which helps the air around the lung be reabsorbed more quickly.
Lung surgery may be needed to treat your pneumothorax or to prevent future episodes. The area where the leak occurred may be repaired. Sometimes, a special chemical is placed into the area of the collapsed lung. This chemical causes a scar to form.
Where to find medical care for Pneumothorax?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Pneumothorax
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
If you have a collapsed lung, you are more likely to have another one in the future if you:
- Are tall and thin
- Continue to smoke
- Have had two collapsed lungs in the past
How well a person does after having a collapsed lung depends on what caused it.
Possible complications
- Another collapsed lung in the future
- Shock
Prevention
There is no known way to prevent a collapsed lung, but you can decrease your risk by not smoking.