Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax is manifested by lung collapse A pneumothorax occurs when air enters the space between the lungs and the chest wall Air pushes against the outer surface of the lung and causes it to collapse Most of the time, only one part of the lung collapses
Pneumothorax is caused by a blunt or penetrating wound to the chest The condition sometimes develops after medical procedures Pneumothorax sometimes has no apparent cause Symptoms include: chest pain that starts suddenly, shortness of breath
Pneumothorax of small size, without complications, will pass quickly even without treatment When the pneumothorax is large, doctors usually insert a tube or needle between the ribs to remove excess air.
The causes of pneumothorax are:
- trauma in the chest area A blunt or penetrating wound to the chest is often the cause of lung collapse Some injuries are the result of physical trauma, car accidents, and sometimes injuries are associated with medical procedures, such as an injection into the chest cavity.
- Lung diseases Damage to lung tissue increases the risk of collapse Lung damage caused by other diseases, such as chronic obstructive diseases, cystic fibrosis or pneumonia
- Rupture of air bubbles Small air bubbles are often found in the upper lobes of the lung These bubbles do not mean lung disease, but sometimes they burst and cause air to enter the space around the lung
- Mechanical breathing A severe type of pneumothorax develops in people who use mechanical breathing apparatus Mechanical ventilation causes air pressure imbalance in the chest The lung may collapse completely or develop pressure on the heart, causing heart failure
The main symptom of pneumothorax is sudden pain in the chest, along with shortness of breath These symptoms are sometimes caused by various diseases, some of which are life-threatening If the pain is severe and you have difficulty breathing, seek emergency medical help
