Pneumothorax (patient information)

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What is Pneumothorax?

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 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.

How do I know I have Pneumothorax?

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

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.

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