Disease Insights: pneumothorax
Welcome to the ultimate guide on pneumothorax. Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions to help you or your loved ones understand and manage this condition better.
Description for pneumothorax
A collapsed lung caused by air leaking into the space between the lung and chest wall.
Symptoms of pneumothorax
bluish skin, fatigue, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, sudden chest pain
Precautions for pneumothorax
Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous act, Seek medical attention for chest p, Follow prescribed respiratory therapy, Monitor lung function regularly
Questions Covered:
- what is pneumothorax?
- What are the usual symptoms of pneumothorax?
- causes of pneumothorax?
- What are the potential risk factors associated with pneumothorax?
- What are the possible complications that could arise from pneumothorax?
- How do doctors usually treat pneumothorax?
- How do doctors usually figure out if someone has pneumothorax, diagnosis?
Answers:
Question: what is pneumothorax?
A collapsed lung is the medical term for when air escapes outside of the lungs into the chest. The pressure causes the lung to be unable to expand. This is also called pneumothorax.
Question: What are the usual symptoms of pneumothorax?
If pneumothorax results from trauma, the symptoms often appear at the time of the injury or shortly after. Symptoms of spontaneous pneumothorax might appear when a person is at rest. A sudden attack of chest pain is often the first symptom.
Symptoms may include:
a sudden, sharp, stabbing pain in the chest
rapid breathing or shortness of breath (dyspnea)
turning blue, known as cyanosis
a rapid
heart rate
low blood pressure
lung expansion on one side
a hollow sound if you tap on the chest
an enlarged jugular vein
anxiety
fatigue
Question: causes of pneumothorax?
There are different ways of categorizing pneumothorax, according to their causes or their impact.
One way of differentiating them is as follows
:
traumatic pneumothorax
nontraumatic pneumothorax
primary spontaneous
secondary spontaneous
Other subtypes with either traumatic or nontraumatic causes are:
simple, when it does not affect the position of other structures
tension, which affects the position of other structures, like the heart
open, when air moves in and out of an open wound in the chest
Traumatic pneumothorax
Traumatic pneumothorax occurs after some type of trauma or injury has happened to the chest or lung wall. It can be a minor or significant injury. The trauma can damage chest structures and cause air to leak into the pleural space.
Here are some types of injuries that can cause traumatic pneumothorax:
trauma to the chest from a motor vehicle accident
broken ribs
a blow to the chest during a contact sport, like football tackle
a stab or bullet wound to the chest
accidental damage during a medical procedure like a central line placement, ventilator use, lung biopsies, or CPR
diving, flying, or being at high altitude due to air pressure changes
Quick treatment of pneumothorax due to chest trauma is critical as it can lead to fatal complications like cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, shock, and death.
Nontraumatic pneumothorax
This type of pneumothorax is called spontaneous, as it does not result from trauma.
When primary spontaneous pneumothorax happens, there's no clear reason why it occurs. It's more likely
to happen:
in people who smoke
during pregnancy
in people with Marfan syndrome
in those with a family history of pneumothorax
in an otherwise healthy person with a tall, thin body
Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax can happen if a person has:
a form of COPD, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis
acute or chronic infection, like tuberculosis or pneumonia
lung cancer
cystic fibrosis
asthma
severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
collagen vascular disease
Inhaling drugs like cocaine or marijuana can also trigger it.
Tension pneumothorax
Tension pneumothorax is not a classification of pneumothorax but a term that reflects the severity of pneumothorax. You may experience
it if you have:
a blow to the chest
a penetrating injury
changes in pressure when diving, flying, or mountaineering
a spontaneous pneumothorax progressing to a tension type
some medical procedures
Question: What are the potential risk factors associated with pneumothorax?
The risk factors
are different for a traumatic and spontaneous pneumothorax.
Risk factors for a traumatic pneumothorax include:
contact sports, like football or hockey
employment where there's a risk of falls or other types of injury
having a medical procedure that involves the chest or lung area
ongoing assisted respiratory care
The people at highest risk of a nontraumatic pneumothorax include those who:
have a history of smoking
have an existing lung condition, like asthma or COPD
have a family history of pneumothorax, which may indicate genetic factors
have tall, slim bodies, as this can affect
pressure at the top of the lung
have inflammation in the small airways
Question: What are the possible complications that could arise from pneumothorax?
Pneumothorax can lead to a number of complications, some of which can be life-threatening.
They include:
respiratory failure or inability to breathe
pulmonary edema following treatment for pneumothorax
pneumohemothorax, when blood enters the chest cavity
pneumopericardium, when air enters the cavity around the heart
pneumoperitoneum, when are enters the space around the abdomen
bronchopulmonary fistula, when a passageway opens between the lungs and the space around them
heart attack
Tension pneumothorax can quickly progress to:
an inability to breathe
cardiovascular collapse
death
It's essential to seek emergency medical help as soon as symptoms arise.
Question: How do doctors usually treat pneumothorax?
Treatment aims to relieve pressure on the lung and allow it to re-expand.
The options will depend on:
how severe the condition is
whether the chest cavity is continuing to expand
the cause
whether it's happened before or has been going on for some time
If you have tension pneumothorax or pneumothorax due to an injury, this is a life-threatening emergency. You'll need immediate medical care and possibly surgery.
Here are some of the treatment strategies:
Observation
If pneumothorax results from a small injury, it may heal without treatment within a few days. Check with a doctor before flying or diving after pneumothorax.
If you're having trouble breathing, you may need oxygen. Using oxygen can also help speed up
the rate at which the lungs reabsorb air from the cavity.
Draining excess air
If the damage is significant or symptoms are severe, a surgeon may need to remove the air or carry out surgery.
Needle aspiration and chest tube insertion are two procedures designed to remove excess air from the pleural space in the chest. These can be done at the bedside without requiring general anesthesia.
In needle aspiration, the doctor inserts a needle into the cavity and extracts the air using a syringe.
For a chest tube insertion, the doctor will insert a hollowed tube between your ribs. This allows air to drain and the lung to reinflate. The tube may remain in place for 2 to 5 days or longer.
Surgery
The doctor may need to carry out a more invasive procedure to see what's happening in your lungs, like a thoracotomy or thoracoscopy.
During a thoracotomy, your surgeon will create an incision in the pleural space to help them see the problem. During a thoracoscopy, also known as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), the doctor inserts a tiny camera through the chest wall to examine the lung.
If you've had repeated episodes of pneumothorax, you may need a small operation to repair any weak areas in the lung where the air is getting through. The doctor may also carry out pleurodesis, in which they stick the lung to the inside of the chest wall.
Other surgical options include:
sewing blisters closed
closing air leaks
or removing the collapsed portion of your lung, which is called a lobectomy
These interventions can reduce the risk of pneumothorax happening again.
Question: How do doctors usually figure out if someone has pneumothorax, diagnosis?
In many cases, a person with pneumothorax will need emergency medical treatment, and emergency doctors will carry out the evaluation and diagnosis.
A doctor will look for signs of air in the space around the lungs.
They'll ask about:
symptoms
personal and family medical history
recent activities
any previous cases of pneumothorax
They may also carry out imaging tests, like:
an X-ray
a CT scan
a thoracic ultrasound
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Conclusion & Takeaways
Learning about pneumothorax is the first step toward taking control of your health. By understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatments, you empower yourself to make informed decisions. Remember to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice and support.