Pneumothorax, or a collapsed lung, can range from mild to life-threatening. It can be caused by injury, disease, or weak lung tissue. Symptoms include chest pain, referred pain, breathing difficulties, coughing, and increased heart rate. Immediate medical attention is necessary.
A pneumothorax is also known as a collapsed lung and can be anything from a relatively mild condition to an extremely serious and life-threatening condition, depending on its cause. A lung can partially or completely collapse if a person suffers a sudden injury, such as a gunshot wound (traumatic), and the condition can also occur due to diseases such as pneumonia or lung cancer (secondary spontaneous). Weak lung tissue can cause small holes and a certain amount of collapse (spontaneous primary), or in its probably worst form, the air pressure around the lung causes it to collapse completely (tension). Symptoms of pneumothorax can depend on the type, and sometimes the condition is obvious, while other times it is so mild that it goes unnoticed.
There are not many symptoms of pneumothorax to recognize, although if the lung collapse is significant, most of the symptoms may be present and felt to an extreme degree. One of the most commonly noticed symptoms is pain on one side of the chest that does not radiate to the other side or is located in the center of the chest. It should be heard very clearly on one side only.
Some people who have symptoms of pneumothorax also have a condition called referred pain. The shoulder or stomach or both can be uncomfortable and sore. The inside of the lung doesn’t actually have nerves that send pain signals, so it’s common for people to experience referred pain instead.
Pain is not necessarily the only or most obvious symptom. An affected person may have a feeling of tightness or pressure in the chest and may feel that their breathing is impaired. This could mean feeling short of breath or leaving the patient breathless. Conditions such as primary spontaneous pneumothorax are more associated with minor respiratory disorders, while tension, trauma, or severe second spontaneous pneumothorax can impair breathing much more.
Another of the symptoms of pneumothorax is a cough, which can be dry or barking. Some people also notice an increase in heart rate. If the condition is severe, a lack of adequate oxygen may be evident in the darker, more prominent veins in the neck. A person may also panic or be confused, and if oxygen levels drop well below normal, loss of consciousness or even death could occur.
While the list of symptoms of pneumothorax is not extensive, these symptoms require immediate medical attention and attention. From an observer’s point of view, it is impossible to tell the cause of the condition and the extent of the lung collapse. While some people who have primary spontaneous pneumothorax may not require treatment, most other people will, and it’s always best to err on the side of caution. Additionally, those who have suffered from the condition in the past may be at greater risk of having a collapsed lung in the future. They especially need to know the symptoms and get medical help if they think the condition is recurring.
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