What is Pneumothorax or Collapsed Lung?

As threatening as it sounds, a collapsed lung is a serious condition that causes breathless, chest and even death when not treated by a lung specialist. Though it usually happens due to penetrative chest injury or previous lung conditions, it can happen to anyone and this makes it a serious threat to anyone.

So with inputs from the best lung transplant surgeon in Hyderabad & Padme Shri awardee Dr Alla Gopala Krishna Gokhale, we aim to raise awareness about this medical condition in this blog today. Read on to know about causes, symptoms and treatment for Pneumothorax in Hyderabad:

What is Pneumothorax or collapsed lung?

Pneumothorax or collapsed lung is a condition where the air that gets in between the chest cavity pressurizes and compresses the lung over and over, stopping it from expanding as one breathes.

“There are different types of Pneumothorax based on the factors that cause them. Pneumothorax can be mild where only a small portion of the lung is affected or it can severe leading to the entire collapse of the lung”, says the best lung transplant surgeon in India and Pneumothorax specialist in Hyderabad,  Dr Alla Gopala Krishna Gokhale

Pneumothorax Causes: What causes collapsed lung?

There are different types of Pneumothorax conditions that are triggered due to a variety of reasons. Types of Pneumothorax and their causes are broadly classified:

1. Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Primary pneumothorax can happen in a healthy person for no specific reason. In this case, it starts with a small outer tear in the lungs which also happens for no apparent cause.
2. Secondary spontaneous Pneumothorax: Secondary pneumothorax happens in persons with existing lung conditions due to the weakening of the lung tissue at the edge.
3. Injury or trauma-induced Pneumothorax: Chest injury during a trauma incident like a crash, a surgery that needs a needle inserted into the lungs, puncture caused due to acupuncture treatment and even lung surgeries.
4. Pneumothorax induced by environmental factors: Tobacco, vaping, cannabis and even environmental factors may trigger Pneumothorax in a few cases.

Collapsed Lung: How does it feel like?

Pneumothorax can happen to anyone and symptoms usually depend on the severity and type of Pneumothorax that is diagnosed, according to Dr Gokhale. That said, some of the most common Pneumothorax symptoms include:

• Stabbing and sharp pain on one side of the chest.
• Pressure in the chest Increase of pain when breathing is inhaled
• Rapid heart rate and tightening of the chest
• Bluish colour of the skin due to low absorption of oxygen
• Fatigue, confusion and becoming breathless.

Cough and high-temperature fever, a clicking-like sensation in the chest also happen in some cases. Surprisingly, some cases may not have any symptoms, Pneumothorax in this case is only diagnosed with an X-ray or CT scan.

Pneumothorax Treatment: Collapsed Lung Treatment in Hyderabad

The aim of Pneumothorax treatment is to relieve the pressure on the lungs by removing the trapped air. Different procedures are used by lung specialists in Hyderabad based on the severity, size and cause of Pneumothorax.

Mild cases of Pneumothorax resolve by themselves in 2-3 weeks’ time when the air is absorbed by the body. In larger and more severe cases, needles and chest drains are used to safely remove the air and prevent further entrapment. In case the air gets trapped multiple times even after the draining, lung surgery may be required to seal the leaks. For more information on Pneumothorax treatment in Hyderabad, you can contact the leading lung specialist in Hyderabad Dr Alla Gopala Krishna Gokhale here: @Call 9603040506