Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax is when air collects abnormally in the area, called the pleural space, that is between the lung and the inside of the chest wall. (Read about "Respiratory System") This prevents the lungs from expanding properly when the person tries to breathe in, and the lung can collapse. Pneumothorax can be caused by injury, or it can happen for no apparent reason, called a spontaneous (primary) pneumothorax. According to the American Lung Association (ALA), primary pneumothorax is most often found in tall, thin men between the ages of 20 and 40 and is caused by the rupture of a pouch of fluid or cyst in the lung. It happens to about 9,000 people each year.

Secondary (complicated) pneumothorax occurs in people with other lung problems such as:

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Read about "COPD")
• tuberculosis (Read about "Tuberculosis")
• pneumonia (Read about "Pneumonia")
• asthma (Read about "Asthma")
• cystic fibrosis (Read about "Cystic Fibrosis")
• lung cancer (Read about "Lung Cancer")
• some forms of interstitial lung disease

Secondary pneumothorax is very dangerous and life threatening.

The American Lung Association lists a number of symptoms of both primary and secondary pneumothorax. They include:

• sudden shortness of breath
• sharp chest pain, often on one side
• cough
• rapid respiratory rate
• abnormal breathing

Treatment of this condition depends upon the cause and size of the pneumothorax, but it is basically the same in both primary and secondary pneumothorax - removing the air from the pleural space to allow the lung to re-expand. According to ALA, a small primary pneumothorax may not require any treatment and will resolve itself within one or two weeks. However, a large pneumothorax of this type could require hospitalization. Often the air must be removed using a needle or a chest tube. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to prevent recurrence. In secondary pneumothorax, even a small case can be serious and ALA reports almost all patients are treated with a chest tube.

ALA says about 40 percent of people who develop primary or secondary spontaneous pneumothorax will develop it again. It tends to recur about every year and a half to two years. There are some things people can do to reduce the risks of recurrence. They should stop smoking if they're smokers (Read about "Quit Smoking"), avoid high altitudes and avoid changes in air pressure such as flying in unpressurized aircraft or scuba diving.

Related Information:

    Glossary of Respiratory Terms