Pneumothorax

There is a space between the chest wall and the lungs, and pneumothorax is a problem that’s related to this cavity and negatively affects the lungs.

Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax occurs when the space between the chest wall and the lungs gets filled with air that causes pressure on the lung and makes it collapse partially or completely.

Causes and risk factors of pneumothorax

Pneumothorax can occur due to the following reasons:

• Medical conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, asthma, cystic fibrosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, tuberculosis, emphysema, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, and lymphangioleiomyomatosis.
• Chest injuries, such as traumas, stab wounds, gunshot wounds, and medical procedures like mechanical ventilation, lung biopsy, and nerve block.
• Lifestyle-related causes, such as smoking, drug use, flying that involves huge changes in air pressure, and deep-sea diving.

The risk of collapsed lung increases due to the following factors:

• Family history.
• Being a thin and tall person, especially in males.
• Pregnancy.
• Endometriosis.
• Marfan syndrome.

Symptoms of pneumothorax

• Sudden chest pain on one side, especially when taking a breath.
• Shortness of breath.
• Cough.
• Rapid breathing.
• Increased heartbeat.
• Extreme tiredness.
• Cyanosis.
• Pneumothorax may lead to serious complications in some cases, such as respiratory failure and heart failure.

Diagnosis of pneumothorax

• Listening to the lungs.
• Imaging tests.

Treatment of pneumothorax

Treating pneumothorax depends on the severity of the case:

• Observation is the case is mild.
• Thoracentesis, which includes placing a needle between the ribs to evacuate the air.
• Chest tube insertion.
• Pleurodesis, which includes reattaching the lungs to the chest cavity.
• Surgery in some cases.