Pneumothorax
A pneumothorax is a collection of air in the chest that causes part or all of a lung to collapse. This can be caused by an injury to the chest, usually from a car accident, stab wound, or gunshot wound. It can also be caused by fractured ribs, electric shock or near drowning. The symptoms of a pneumothorax may include: dull, sharp or stabbing chest pain that becomes worse with breathing or coughing, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, abnormal breathing movement, anxiety, weak pulse, decreased breath sounds on the affected side, or a shift of the chest wall to the opposite side. Symptoms vary depending on how much the long has collapsed and how much air has entered the chest.A pneumothorax can heal on its own, but most require medical treatment. Treatment usually consists of using a needle and syringe or chest tube to remove air form the chest and allow the lung to re-expand. Recovery takes about 1 to 2 weeks.
Pneumothorax Definition
Pneumothorax is also called a collapsed lung and is a collection of air in the chest that causes part or all of a lung to collapse. It becomes difficult for the patient to breathe normal, and the body gets less oxygen. It can become a life-threatening condition.
Causes and symptoms
Injury to the chest is a cause of a pneumothorax. Most lung injuries occur as a result of car accidents, crushing injuries or by stab or bullet wounds. It can also be caused by fractured ribs, electric shock or near drowning.
The symptoms of pneumothorax depend on how much air enters the chest, how much the lung collapses, and the extent of lung disease. Symptoms may include: dull, sharp or stabbing chest pain that becomes worse with deep breathing or coughing, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, abnormal breathing movement, anxiety, bulging neck veins, weak pulse, decreased breath sounds on the affected side, or shift of the chest wall to the opposite side.
Diagnosis
It is necessary for the doctor or nurse to listen to the chest during a physical examination, obtain blood tests, and a chest x-ray for diagnosis.
Treatment & Prognosis
A pneumothorax may heal on its own, but most require medical treatment. The object of treatment is to remove air from the chest and allow the lung to re-expand. This is done by inserting a needle and syringe (if the pneumothorax is small) or chest tube through the chest wall. This allows the air to escape without allowing any air back in. The lung will then re-expand itself within a few days. Recovery from a collapsed lung generally takes one to two weeks.
Source Citation: "Pneumothorax." Lorraine Steefel, RN. The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Second Edition. Jacqueline L. Longe, Editor. 5 vols. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group, 2001.