Question 1

whats the cause of a pnuemothorax?

Accepted Answer

Pneumothorax: Blunt or penetrating chest injuries can result in pneumothoracies.  Underlying lung disease like emphysema (COPD), cystic fibrosis or pneumonia.  Blebs that rupture ("air blisters" that can develop on the tops of lungs) can also cause this trauma.  Mechanical ventilation while in and of itself life saving can cause pressure differences in the lung causing the rupture as well.

Question 2

causes of recurrent spontaneous pneumotorax?

Accepted Answer

Most likely: Are tuberculosis and congenital bullae.  Stop smoking too.  These days, operation is video assisted stapled excision of bullae and possible talc pleurodesis, not open chest surgery, so scar and pain are lot less.

Question 3

will a pnuemothorax shorten my lifespan?

Accepted Answer

No: But really depends on the cause of the pneumothorax was it trauma ? Then it should have no bearing on lifespan after full treatment .
However if related to asthma , emphysema or lung cancer then longevity is relate to the severity of the undetrlying disease.

Question 4

please tell me about pneumothrax, pleurodesis?

Accepted Answer

Diagnosis / treatmen: Pneumothorax is a diagnosis of air in the pleural space in which the lung resides.  It is somethimes treated or prevented from re occuring by the procedure called pleurodesis. The pluerodesis procedure creates adhesion of the plureal surfaces of the lung with the pleural surface of the outer lung cavity so that air is not allowed to expand into this space.

Question 5

does anyone know why the trachea shifts in a pneumonthorax?

Accepted Answer

Pressure: The high pressure that is produced when air gets into pleural space is so great, that it pushes the trachea to the other side.

Question 6

what is pneumothorax?

Accepted Answer

Air around the lung: There is normally no air in the thin space between the rib cage and the lungs. Normally the negative pressure inside the ribcage keeps the lung inflated with the lung gliding against the cage. The lungs expand as the rib cage moves. If there is a hole in the lung or if there is a stab from the outside to inside of the rib cage, the pressure rises and the lung collapses - a pneumothorax.

Question 7

is pneumothorax common?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Pneumothorax can be spontaneous and occurs 7.4 and 1.2 per 100, 000 in men & women respectively. It also results after trauma, surgery, respirator therapy and needle biopsy of the lung. Some cases are treated conservatively, others require placement of a surgical chest tube for re-expansion of the lung.

Question 8

how can i treat pneumothorax?

Accepted Answer

See below: This is treated by a doctor through needle decompression, oxygen, or a chest tube. It depends on the extent, severity, and comorbidities.

Question 9

what are tests for pneumothorax?

Accepted Answer

Cxr: Symptoms may include chest and shoulder discomfort along with shortness of breath.  Exam may demonstrate dimished breath sounds on the side of collapse.  Diagnosis is usually made on chest xray.  Occasionally, a very small pneumo is picked up on ct.

Question 10

how is a pneumothorax diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Short of breath: Sudden onset of chest pain with shortness of breath is a common symptom.  A cxr will confirm it.  Pneumothorax  / ptx can be spontaneous or traumatic in origin.  Significant chest trauma (blunt or sharp) with rib fractures are commonly associated with ptx.  Certain body type, connective tissue disorder and lung disease such as emphysema are associated with ptx - at time spontaneous without trauma.

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Doctor answers about:

Pneurmothorax

A member asked:

Whats the cause of a pnuemothorax?

A member asked:

Causes of recurrent spontaneous pneumotorax?

A member asked:

Will a pnuemothorax shorten my lifespan?

A member asked:

Please tell me about pneumothrax, pleurodesis?

A member asked:

Does anyone know why the trachea shifts in a pneumonthorax?

A member asked:

What is pneumothorax?

A member asked:

Is pneumothorax common?

A member asked:

How can i treat pneumothorax?

A member asked:

What are tests for pneumothorax?

A member asked:

How is a pneumothorax diagnosed?

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