Question 1

born w/a collapsed lung took docs 3 days to catch. could this be the cause of medical issues? 38 yrs later, any recourse? unable to work fully

Accepted Answer

Doubt it: Once treated and resolved there is no expected long term health consequences. Since you didn't describe your impairment s we can't address them individually, but the whole idea is unlikely .

Question 2

collapsed lung recovery?

Accepted Answer

Depends: A collapsed lung may be related to a pneumothorax, or  massive fluid and atelectasis. Some may require surgery such as  placement of a chest tube for a pneumothorax with recovery of several weeks. Large fluid collections or atelectasis causing lung collapse are resolved quickly  by removing the fluid  and or bronchoscopy with immediate recovery.

Question 3

is a collapsed lung bad?

Accepted Answer

Yes: A collapsed lung means that the lung cannot do it's job, bringing oxygen into the body and getting rid of carbon dioxide.

Question 4

how bad is a collapsed lung?

Accepted Answer

Bad: Pneumothorax, hemothorax, chylothorax, hydropneumothorax and atelectasis all emcompass conditions where a lung is "collapsed."  in atelectasis, the lung is not aerated because alveoli are not expanded. This is usually an issue internal to the airways.  The rmainder are due to something outside the actual lung parenchyma - compressing the lung.  All are bad, so talk to your doc.

Question 5

how can i cure a collapsed lung

Accepted Answer

Need more info: "collapsed" lung is a term that can mean several different things. Collapsed lung can mean a pneumothorax which is treated with a chest tube, or a collapsed lung can mean an obstructed bronchus which is treated, when possible, by removing the obstruction.

Question 6

what can cause a collapsed lung?

Accepted Answer

Multiple: External and internal. External causes are trauma, diagnostic procedures, etc. Internal factors deal with an increase in pressure in the lung, causing rupture of a pre- existing issue (pulmonary bleb). Pressure increases can be a cough, sneeze, or being on a ventilator. Air leaves the lung or enters the chest through a defect, causing collapse of the lung.

Question 7

can you die from a collapsed lung?

Accepted Answer

Tension pneumothorax: You can die from collapsed lung, as it progresses quickly to a tension pneumothorax.  Eventually, the pressure will collapse your other lung and vessels. Untreated, death will occur. First responders, emt and trauma providers are trained to recognize and release the pressure associated with a collapsed lung, to prevent tension pneumothorax.

Question 8

how does one treat a collapsed lung?

Accepted Answer

Negative pressure: You can die from collapsed lung, as it progresses quickly to a tension pneumothorax. First responders, emt and trauma providers are trained to recognize and release the pressure associated with a collapsed lung, to prevent tension pneumothorax. A chest tube is inserted into the space between your lung and chest wall. The tube is put to negative pressure, so lung can re-expand.

Question 9

how does the dr fix a collapsed lung?

Accepted Answer

Find out the cause: Need to find the cause first for the collapse-pleural effusion, pneumothorax, endobronchial tumor--etc. Appropriate intervention depending on the cause.

Question 10

what does a collapsed lung feel like?

Accepted Answer

Breathing pain: Though mechanisms of injury play a role here, both traumatic and spontaneous pneumothorax (collapsed lung) will lead to shortness of breath and chest pain.  If left untreated, some may lead to tension pneumothorax which may be deadly.  If you see the patient turning pale and taking shallow, frequent, gasping breaths - there is not a minute to waste.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Baby born with collapsed lung

A member asked:

Born w/a collapsed lung took docs 3 days to catch. could this be the cause of medical issues? 38 yrs later, any recourse? unable to work fully

A member asked:

Collapsed lung recovery?

A member asked:

Is a collapsed lung bad?

A member asked:

How bad is a collapsed lung?

A member asked:

How can i cure a collapsed lung

A member asked:

What can cause a collapsed lung?

A member asked:

Can you die from a collapsed lung?

A member asked:

How does one treat a collapsed lung?

A member asked:

How does the dr fix a collapsed lung?

A member asked:

What does a collapsed lung feel like?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?