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What is a Collapsed Lung?

Garry Crystal
Garry Crystal

A collapsed lung occurs when air builds up between the chest wall and the lung. When this happens, the lung will not be able to expand, and breathing will become painful. The medical term for this condition is a pneumothorax.

A lung usually collapses as a result of a direct injury to the chest, but on some occasions, the condition can appear without cause. Injuries to the chest may result in broken ribs or a punctured lung. Damage without injury may include asthma, pneumonia, and other diseases of the lung. Cigarette smoking has also been linked to the condition.

Some cases of a collapsed lung have been liked to cigarette smoking.
Some cases of a collapsed lung have been liked to cigarette smoking.

The symptoms of a collapsed lung include a shortness of breath and severe chest pains. There may also be a continual severe cough, and pain may be felt in the shoulder muscles. The sufferer’s pulse may become rapid, and veins may protrude from the neck.

If these symptoms appear, then a doctor should be consulted immediately. A doctor should be called even if the symptoms are only temporary. The pain may have serious underlying causes.

A medical professional may examine a chest X-ray for indications of a collapsed lung.
A medical professional may examine a chest X-ray for indications of a collapsed lung.

A doctor must conduct a number of tests to diagnose a collapsed lung. These include x-rays and, if necessary, a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest. A pneumothorax can be missed by an x-ray alone. The symptoms can be eased in the short term by pressing a pillow against the chest wall. This will alleviate the pain if the collapse was caused by injury to the chest and ribs.

A collapsed lung may be the result of a chest injury.
A collapsed lung may be the result of a chest injury.

A more severe type of collapsed lung is called a tension pneumothorax. With a tension pneumothorax, air will begin to build up under pressure and can cause severe damage to the cardiovascular area. Severe low blood pressure will occur, and if not treated, the condition can be fatal.

Treatment for a severe collapsed lung consists of the removal of the trapped air through a needle inserted into the chest area. The needle is attached to a tube, and decompression removes the air from the chest cavity. A simple pneumothorax may also be treated in this way.

After a collapsed lung has been treated, follow up visits will include having a chest x-ray taken.
After a collapsed lung has been treated, follow up visits will include having a chest x-ray taken.

Once the lung has been treated, ongoing visits to the doctor are necessary. X-rays and physical examinations will continue until the doctor has given the all clear. If the collapsed lung was not the result of injury, there is a 50% chance that it will recur.

Discussion Comments

anon340651

Nobody should smoke period, but especially not those with respiratory problems. Quitting smoking can only be beneficial to him. There is literally no down side to him quitting inhaling toxic poisons into his body. I speak as an ex-smoker and truly believe that smoking should be banned outright. It's a horribly sickening drug that kills millions and has hundreds of millions addicted and suffering ill health as a direct result of their addiction.

anon312982

My daughter, who is 50 days old, has come out with spontaneous pneumothorax and during the course of diagnosis, by taking a CT scan we found there are some air pockets in between her chest and lungs? What could it be? Will it be harmful for my little one's life?

anon162694

My two year old nephew is in the hospital because his lungs are collapsing. could it kill the little boy?

anon72778

A 16 year old girl had a baby and blood pressure was up and now her lung has collapsed. What caused her lung to collapse I wonder.

anon38788

My brother got a collased lung and he smokes. Will the stoppage of smoking help his problem?

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    • Some cases of a collapsed lung have been liked to cigarette smoking.
      By: Николай Григорьев
      Some cases of a collapsed lung have been liked to cigarette smoking.
    • A medical professional may examine a chest X-ray for indications of a collapsed lung.
      By: nyul
      A medical professional may examine a chest X-ray for indications of a collapsed lung.
    • A collapsed lung may be the result of a chest injury.
      By: pixelcaos
      A collapsed lung may be the result of a chest injury.
    • After a collapsed lung has been treated, follow up visits will include having a chest x-ray taken.
      By: Deymos
      After a collapsed lung has been treated, follow up visits will include having a chest x-ray taken.