Question 1

what happens if your lung collapses?

Accepted Answer

See a doctor, urgent: A collapsed lung (pneumothorax) is due to an air leak from the inside of the lung through the covering of the lung, out into the space between the lung and the ribs. The site of the leak has some damage, which will heal itself later. But the leak may continue, with leaked air filling the rib cage (chest cavity), pushing on the heart and collapsed lung...Causing death. Pneumothorax is an emergency!

Question 2

what are the symptoms of a lung ready to collaspe, or does it just happen?

Accepted Answer

Just happens: There are no symptoms to an impending lung collapse; the question becomes why does the lung collapse in the first place?  That root cause may have associated symptoms.

Question 3

had a spontaneous lung collapse, what happens now?

Accepted Answer

Size: Smaller collapse often heals. Larger may need drainage/chest tube. The hole in the lung from trauma or spontaneous collapse can potentially seal in just a few days (like a scab).  The lung tissue takes longer to fully heal, depending on type of injury.  If from trauma, associated chest wall injury (rib fractures, etc...) as well as chest tube site may take weeks to months to heal.

Question 4

what can cause a lung to collapse?

Accepted Answer

Loss of (-) pressure: A collapsed/punctured lung is serious, as it can progress to tension pneumothorax. Once recognized, a chest tube is placed to release the pressure associated with collapsed lung. Any injury that allows positive pressure from the airways or externally into the negative pressured pleural space will start the lung collapsing. Trauma, needle sticks, rib fx, fluid, spontaneous are common causes.

Question 5

can dry air cause a lung to collapse?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: If by lung collapse you mean a pneumothorax, or air around the lung in the chest cavity, that is usually due to a genetic predisposition, smoking, trauma or sometimes vigorous exercise, to name a few. Another type of lung collapse involves thick mucus that blocks air entry to the rest of the lung, but that only happens in very debilitated patients with advanced lung disease.

Question 6

how do u know if ur lung has collapsed?

Accepted Answer

Pain and SOB.: If spontaneous - usually pain and shortness of breath in a tall thin and young individual.  Could happen in an older smoker with the same symptoms.

Question 7

what are signs that a lung has collapsed?

Accepted Answer

Several: Difficulty breathing or fatigue;
fast pulse- tachycardia
palpable air in the chest wall with pneumothorax
deviation of trachea with tension/ or fluid etc.

Question 8

what could mean that my lung has collapsed?

Accepted Answer

See below: This problem can only be solved by seeing your doctor and being evaluated face-to-face.  After a thorough examination, your doctor should be able to tell you what's wrong and what to do about it.

Question 9

can you tell if your lung is collapsed from a stethasope?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: If one lung is collapsed, there will be decreased breath sounds on that side when listening with a stethascope in comparison to the other side of the chest.  A skilled listener could pick this up.

Question 10

can holding your breath too long cause your lungs to collapse?

Accepted Answer

No: it will increase your strength on it but not to collapse. Remember breathing oxygenates holding too much will not help to get more oxygen

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Doctor answers about:

What happens if your lung collapses

A member asked:

What happens if your lung collapses?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of a lung ready to collaspe, or does it just happen?

A member asked:

Had a spontaneous lung collapse, what happens now?

A member asked:

What can cause a lung to collapse?

A member asked:

Can dry air cause a lung to collapse?

A member asked:

How do u know if ur lung has collapsed?

A member asked:

What are signs that a lung has collapsed?

A member asked:

What could mean that my lung has collapsed?

A member asked:

Can you tell if your lung is collapsed from a stethasope?

A member asked:

Can holding your breath too long cause your lungs to collapse?

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