Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is a pneumothorax?
- How common is this condition?
- Signs & symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of a pneumothorax?
- When should I see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes pneumothorax?
- Primary pneumothorax
- Secondary pneumothorax
- Traumatic pneumothorax
- Risk factors
- What are the factors that increase my development of this condition?
- Diagnosis and treatment
- What tests are performed for pneumothorax?
- What are the treatments for pneumothorax?
- 1. Aspiration of the needle
- 2. Surgery
- Home remedies
- What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat a pneumothorax?
Definition
What is a pneumothorax?
Pneumothorax is a condition in which air flows in the cavity between the lungs and the chest wall.
Normally, healthy lungs should stick to the chest wall. When air enters the cavity between the lungs and the chest wall, the air pressure causes the position of the lungs to drop.
Sometimes, the entire lung will decrease. However, only part of the lung is affected. This condition can also put pressure on the heart, so other symptoms can occur.
There are three types of pneumothorax, namely primary, secondary, and traumatic types. All three have different causes and severity.
How common is this condition?
Pneumothorax is a condition that is common in individuals aged 20-30, especially those who have a thin and tall posture.
The chances of getting a pneumothorax can be reduced if you avoid risk factors. Always consult a doctor for more information.
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of a pneumothorax?
The most common symptoms are shortness of breath and pain in the chest, especially when inhaling and exhaling. This is one of the most common causes of shortness of breath.
There are also other symptoms such as:
- sharp pain when you inhale
- a feeling of chest pressure that gets worse
- lips or skin turn blue
- heart rate faster
- shortness of breath
- decreased consciousness, fainting, even coma
In addition, there are also some characteristics and symptoms that are not mentioned above. If you have the same complaints or are worried about certain symptoms, consult a doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
Pneumothorax is an emergency and life-threatening condition. You should contact your doctor if you notice the above symptoms or have questions about other information.
Everyone's symptoms can be different. Consulting a doctor is the best step for you to do.
Cause
What causes pneumothorax?
As previously explained, if divided according to the cause, pneumothorax consists of 3 types. Here's the explanation:
Primary pneumothorax
Primary pneumothorax, also known as idiopathic, occurs in people who have never had a history of lung disease. Therefore, the cause of this type of pneumothorax is not known with certainty.
However, an article from the journalThoraxsuggests that smoking is one of the habits that may be the biggest cause of primary pneumothorax. In the article, people who smoke were 9 to 22 times more likely to suffer from this condition.
Secondary pneumothorax
The cause of secondary pneumothorax is a pre-existing disease, especially lung disease. Generally, secondary types cause more serious symptoms and have a more fatal severity.
Some of the lung diseases that cause secondary pneumothorax are:
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- cystic fibrosis
- asthma
- lung infections, such as tuberculosis (TB) and certain types of pneumonia
- sarcoidosis
- thoracic endometriosis
- pulmonary fibrosis
- tumor or lung cancer
In addition, there are several types of connective tissue disorders in the body that have the potential to cause this condition, such as:
- rheumatoid arthritis
- systemic sclerosis
- Marfan syndrome
Traumatic pneumothorax
As the name implies, this condition is caused by trauma or injury due to an accident hitting the chest. One of the most common causes is broken or broken ribs from a sports accident, vehicle, explosion, or sharp object puncture.
In addition, some medical procedures also have the potential to cause traumatic pneumothorax. Inserting a catheter into a blood vessel in the lung, or taking a lung tissue sample.
Risk factors
What are the factors that increase my development of this condition?
Pneumothorax is a medical condition that can happen to anyone. However, there are many factors that increase a person's risk of having this condition, from health, lifestyle, to drugs that have been consumed.
Some of the risk factors below can affect your chances of getting a pneumothorax, namely:
- Gender, men have a higher risk than women
- Smoke
- Genetically, some types of pneumothorax can be an inherited disease
- Have had a problem or disease in the lungs
- Mechanical ventilation, if you use a breathing apparatus, the risk of getting a pneumothorax increases
- Have had a pneumothorax before
The absence of risk does not mean that you are free from possible exposure to disease. The characteristics and symptoms that are written are for reference only. You need to consult a doctor for more information.
Diagnosis and treatment
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
What tests are performed for pneumothorax?
The doctor will check your medical record and perform a physical examination. The doctor will listen to breathing sounds with a stethoscope.
A chest X-ray or X-ray may also be done to diagnose a pneumothorax. In addition, health care workers will also check the oxygen levels in your blood and heart using an EKG to determine whether you have had a pneumothorax before.
What are the treatments for pneumothorax?
The goal of treatment is to remove air pressure in the lungs, so that the lungs can return to their original position and shape. Treatment usually depends on how severe your condition is, as well as your overall health condition.
If only a small portion of your lung has decreased, the doctor will only monitor your condition with a chest X-ray for a few weeks. However, if you have a more serious condition, here are the treatments that will be given:
1. Aspiration of the needle
In this procedure, the medical team will insert a syringe with a tube through your chest to remove air from the cavity between your lungs and chest wall.
If the hole is large, you will need to leave the tube in place for several days to keep the lungs from expanding, until the hole has completely healed.
2. Surgery
If the above procedures fail to restore normal shape to the lungs, your doctor may recommend a surgical option to prevent air from entering your lungs.
Home remedies
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat a pneumothorax?
The following are forms of a healthy lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with pneumothorax:
- Check with your doctor to monitor your progress and symptoms, as well as your general health
- Take the prescribed medication. Do not start or stop taking medications without your doctor's permission
- Consult with your doctor about what drugs you take, either prescribed or that you buy yourself at the pharmacy
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant
- Call your doctor if you have a fever or feel a discharge from the chest cavity, because you may have an infection or pneumonia
If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.
