What is collapse? This is when air collects in the space surrounding the lungs. This accumulation of air puts pressure on the lungs.
What is collapse and what causes it to happen
Such a disease occurs when air, due to some reason, leaves the lungs, filling the space around the lungs. This can happen after a person has received any chest injury. For example, a broken rib, a knife or gunshot wound. But there are cases when there were no such reasons, but the disease appeared. Then a diagnosis of "spontaneous pneumothorax" is made. Thin and tall people are more likely to suffer from such a disease, which can also provoke whooping cough, asthma, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis.
Lung collapse and its symptoms
The main signs of this disease are:
- shortness of breath;
- sharp pains in the chest;
- cough;
- deep breathing;
- skin with a bluish tinge;
- fatigue;
- heart palpitations.
It should be noted that the main symptom of such a diseaseis pain when breathing, during coughing or when moving the chest. You should also pay attention to such signs that can also be with a collapsed lung: shortness of breath, cyanosis, asymmetric movement of the chest.
Diagnosis
If a patient complains of shortness of breath and acute pain in the chest, which appeared suddenly, then it is quite possible to assume that this is pneumothorax. An x-ray report can confirm the diagnosis, which will show the presence of air in the pleural region. Bronchoscopy and other additional tests of both the respiratory tract and blood vessels and heart condition may also be ordered.
Risk factors
You should know that lung collapse can develop:
- in an elderly person;
- if there was a premature birth;
- when smoking, scoliosis and obesity;
- with limited physical activity.
Treatment
What is a collapse, you already know. Now let's look at how this disease is treated. If the collapse of the lung is of minor size, then most likely it can go away on its own if you rest as much as possible and receive oxygen in the right amount (oxygen therapy). Sometimes the accumulated air in the lungs is removed with a special needle. In more severe cases, a chest tube is used to restore pressure.
If the disease progresses again after treatment, then surgery will be required.
Prevention
What iscollapse, we have analyzed in detail. Now we recommend reading about how to avoid such a disease. Recommended:
- Smoker - quit smoking.
- Obese - try to lose as much weight as possible.
- If you have any chronic diseases, then you need to reduce the complications caused by them and undergo complex treatment.
- Women in position to be regularly examined by a doctor.
- Avoid accidental inhalation of particulate matter.
Now you know the meaning of the word "collapse" and will surely follow all the recommendations that were given above. Remember, a he althy lifestyle and exercise will help you avoid many diseases.