Pneumothorax can cause pain, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, and a faster heart rate. Diagnosis requires a medical history, symptom evaluation, and listening to the lungs with a stethoscope, along with X-rays, CT scans, and blood tests. Complications can occur if left untreated.
Pneumothorax, which is a collapsed lung, can cause a variety of symptoms. Among the main symptoms of a pneumothorax are pain, tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath. In many cases, a person with a pneumothorax will also notice that their heart is beating faster than usual. In some cases, however, a person with a mild form of this condition may not have many symptoms. For example, he may have mild chest discomfort that he mistakes for something else.
Pain is among the most common symptoms of a pneumothorax. Chest pain often develops when a person has this condition, and an individual may describe the pain as sharp. Often, chest pain typical of a case of pneumothorax is accompanied by a feeling of tightness in the chest. Some cases of pneumothorax may be somewhat mild and involve only a slightly collapsed lung. Even in the mildest cases, however, a person is likely to experience at least some chest pain and tightness.
Difficulty breathing and changes in heart rate can also develop as symptoms of a pneumothorax. Shortness of breath, for example, often accompanies this condition. In some cases, a patient with a collapsed lung may also breathe more rapidly than normal. Additionally, many patients with this condition develop a faster heart rate.
Some of the other symptoms that can develop when a person has a pneumothorax are cough and fatigue. A person’s blood oxygen levels can also drop due to a collapsed lung. This can cause a person’s skin to take on a bluish tinge, which is another sign of pneumothorax.
While a person may suspect they have pneumothorax due to their symptoms, it is imperative that they see their doctor for diagnosis. To diagnose a patient with a pneumothorax, a doctor can take a medical history, evaluate the patient’s symptoms, and listen to the patient’s lungs with a stethoscope. By listening with a stethoscope, a doctor may be able to detect changes in breathing in a collapsed lung. X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and blood tests that measure oxygen levels may also be helpful in making a diagnosis.
An individual is usually advised to see a doctor if they develop symptoms of pneumothorax. This is because complications from the condition, including cardiac arrest, can occur if left untreated. If the pain or difficulty breathing is severe, however, a person might do well to go to the emergency room for immediate evaluation and treatment.
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