What does it mean if you have a collapsed lung?
Have you ever experienced shortness of breath and chest pain? Well, it could be possible that you have a collapsed lung! Don’t worry; we are here to explain what it means, its causes, symptoms, and treatments.
The Big Squeeze
So basically, your lungs are the superheroes in your body responsible for bringing oxygen into your bloodstream. Now think about one of these superheroes getting hit hard on the back by an ‘enemy’ (trauma) or damaged by a needle being stuck through their pleasure centers whilst sleeping (spontaneous). This physical torture results in air leaking out of the lungs causing them to deflate like balloons (ay caramba!).
Causes of Collapsed Lungs
Collapsing can happen randomly without any apparent reason- we call this spontaneous pneumothorax (that sounds fancy) – while other times have known causes such as:
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An injury caused during sports participation
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Reaction after surgery
While all this ‘ouch’ is happening inside your body – smoking exacerbates collapse 😡😑.
Signs and Symptoms
How do you know if your sweet old lungs have deflated like Winnie Pooh’s balloon? Here are signs to look out for (catch me before I fall):
Sharp Chest Pain
This might feel like serious heartburn but worse 🙊. It’s usually felt when taking deep breaths or perhaps laughing too hard at memes.
Shortness of Breath
Why does breathing suddenly seem so difficult uff?? Perhaps each inhalation may not provide initial relief unless action is taken immediately:
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First Aid Attempts: Breathing exercises that focus on gradual increases will decrease shortness.
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Over-the-counter Medications: Anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen helps relieve some of the pressure from inflammation easing up distress.
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Seek Professional Help: A collapsed lung can quickly take a turn for the worst. If home remedies don’t work, seek immediate medical attention.
The Noises in ‘Silence of the Lungs’
Okay! Additionally, this may sound weird but listen out for crunching sounds (subcutaneous emphysema) or squeaky noises as you breathe (turn table scratch).
Diagnosis
If short of breath and chest pain are regular visitors to your house lately, then key indicators that a doctor will consider before diagnosis include:
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Medical history
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Physical examination
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Imaging tests such as x-rays or CT scans
Treatments
Alarming right? When diagnosed with spontaneous pneumothorax (doing jazz hands), available treatment options could be through two methods:
Wait and See
Did someone say procrastination? Well if it’s not too uncomfortable/spontaneous – then some reabsorption therapy usually does the trick without time-consuming treatments.
However, suppose it’s an emergency case because symptoms appear with no prior warning—insert needles please(trembling hand) . Two techniques commonly recommended by doctors.
Chest Tubes
Through small incisions made close to the affected area, silicone tubes are inserted into one’s body cavity draining air from lungs allowing them to expand again.
Chest tube insertion has its unique complications which usually lasts under 5-7 days(!)
VATS
AKA-Videoscopic assisted thoracoscopic surgery consists of quick resuscitation post-operation and less discomfort following significant procedures on larger areas than those treated by inserting a chest tube.
Both methods guarantee recovery after monitored progress has been confirmed.
How Long Will It Last?
With proper care (and minimal scratching), recuperation could last about 10 days (
As always, the main idea is early diagnosis and prompt attention-seeking as either delay or misdiagnosis may result in further health complications. Frequently, spontaneous pneumothorax gets better on its own while occasionally needing medical treatment depending on the severity of one’s chest pain/shortness of breath. And remember, next time someone asks if your lungs are still functioning correctly (sips coffee), let them know that you could live with a punctured hole- not too shabby!
Hey there, I’m Dane Raynor, and I’m all about sharing fascinating knowledge, news, and hot topics. I’m passionate about learning and have a knack for simplifying complex ideas. Let’s explore together!
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