Collapsed lung is widely known as pneumothorax and this occurs when the air is leaked into the space between the wall of the chest and the lungs. as air is occupying this space, it exerts pressure on the lung which makes it difficult for the lung to expand during breathing, or in other words the lung collapses, hence the term collapsed lung. Majority of the cases of pneumothorax only affects one portion of the lungs. The cause of pneumothorax can be due to a penetrating or blunt chest injury. furthermore, collapsed lung may result from certain medical procedures that involve the lungs or damages done to the lungs due to underlying disease.

There are times when pneumothorax happens for no reason at all. Referred to as spontaneous pneumothorax, this occurs when the bleb (a small part of the lung containing air) bursts, releasing the air on the space surrounding the lung. One can determine that it maybe pneumothorax because it causes abrupt chest pain coupled with shortness of breath.

Cases of collapsed lung vary in severity. If it is just small, it could heal on its own without the need for intervention. On the other hand, if it is large pnuemothorax, doctors will have to use a needle or tube to remove the excess air from the space around the lungs to relieve the lungs from the pressure.

The most common symptoms of pneumothorax are:

• Shortness of breath – the level can either be acute or mild which depends on how much air has accumulated in the space between the chest wall and the lungs and sometimes added with previous lung diseases or chest injury.

• Chest pain – the pain does not happen at the center of the chest which is underneath the breast bone. The pain is abrupt and sharp which is felt on the side of the affected lung. The pain does not worsen when you breathe.

Most of the time chest pains and difficulty breathing are symptoms of other diseases but it is essential to seek your doctor if you happen to experience the symptoms mentioned above. The chest pain or shortness of breath may not directly point to this disease but it is necessary so that the doctors will be able to determine whether you have a collapsed lung or not.

The causes of pneumothorax can be due to a lung disease, chest injury or blebs – air blisters that are ruptured; whereas other cases occur for no reason, as mentioned above.

In the case of chest injuries, it can be the result of a penetrating or blunt injury – any incident which results to a part of your lungs being injured such as from a car crash, stabs from knives due to physical assault. Other cases occur due to medical surgeries that happen to involve the lungs. Below are some examples:

• A scope procedure that goes down the throat and on to the lungs.

• Biopsies involving the needle where a needle is used through the wall of the chest.

• Chest tube insertion.

• CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

• A case of fractured ribs which may sometimes result to puncturing of the lung.

• Deployment of the air bag of the vehicle.

• Gunshot or knife wounds.

• Blunt trauma caused by a car crash or a blow.

The most common underlying lung disease which will result to collapsed lung is a damaged lung tissue. The lung damage is caused by various types of other fundamental diseases which include:

• Pulmonary fibrosis

The risk factors involving collapsed lung are:

• Gender –Males are more likely to develop pneumothorax compared to females.

• Genetics – there are certain kinds of pneumothorax that runs in the blood.

• Pneumothorax history – A person who had a previous pneumothorax will likely have another pneumothorax either on the opposite lung or the lung which was previously affected. This happens sometimes within the span of one or two years of the first experience.

• Mechanical ventilation – there are people for which it is a necessity to have mechanical ventilation in order to properly breathe. These people are at high risk of acquiring pneumothorax.

• Smoking – even if there is no emphysema, a disease where the conditions of the lungs are denoted by decreased respiratory function, smokers are at high risk of acquiring pneumothorax.

• Age – Blebs, or ruptured air blisters, are some of the causes of pneumothorax. This likely occurs to people in the ages between twenty and forty, particularly if they are underweight and tall.

• Lung disease – Most of the time, underlying diseases cause pneumothorax.

There are certain treatments done to relieve the pressure from the collapsed lung. This depends on how mild or acute the case of your pneumothorax is. Observation and monitoring is done for mild cases. with acute cases, there is a need to recourse to either chest tube or needle insertion. If the chest tube process does not resolve the case, surgery may be an option to close the leak.

Also Read:

• Pulmonary Embolism Treatment, Symptoms, Risk Factors
• Legionella Pneumonia, Symptoms and Treatment
• Right side Chest Pain in Women: What they Mean
• Blood in Mucus, Coughing up Blood – Diagnosis, Causes and Treatments
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment

August 24, 2010 – Central Hockey League (CHL) Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs BOSSIER CITY, LA – Join the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs tomorrow at Buffalo Wild Wings as we support “We believe in Abilea”, a fundraising effort to help the family of 3-year-old Abilea Bounds as she undergoes medical treatments for a rare genetic disorder.

Abilea (pronounced Abby-Lee) suffers from a disorder known as PFIC(Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis), which primarily affects liver function. the condition causes inhibited growth, nutritional deficiencies and extreme itching throughout her body. in order to be free of these symptoms and other health risks, Abi needs a liver transplant that cannot currently be performed anywhere in the state of Louisiana.

Her parents have thus been forced to look outside the state to continue her treatment at a pediatric transplant facility, but will not be covered by her Louisiana health insurance. the Bounds’ will likely be forced to pay for these extremely expensive medical procedures and travel costs themselves.

That’s why the Mudbugs are teaming up with Buffalo Wild Wings for tomorrow’s fundraiser, which will take place at both Bossier-Shreveport area locations. stop by either the Shreveport store at 7441 Youree Drive or the Bossier City store on the Louisiana Boardwalk for lunch or dinner and pick up a flyer for the fundraiser. When you present the coupon at the bottom of the flyer to your server, 20% of your purchases will go to support “We believe for Abilea”.

Mudbugs Head Coach Scott Muscutt, current and/or former players, mascot Clawed and team staff members will be on hand with Abilea and her family for the event. the ‘Bugs will first visit the Shreveport location from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and then the Bossier City location from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

So come out to either local BWW Grill & Bar tomorrow to enjoy a great meal for a great cause!

Mudbugs 2010-2011 season tickets and mini-plans are on sale now, so call 752-BUGS or stop by the team office inside the CenturyTel Center to get yours today! For all the latest Mudbugs offseason news, log on tomudbugshockey.com .

Season and group tickets are on sale by calling 318-752-BUGS (2847) or by visiting our website at mudbugshockey.com.

• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board… • Digg this story • Add to Del.icio.us • Blue Liner Hartwick Bound for Quad Cities; Byrd, Axtell Sign Tryout Agreements – Quad City Mallards • Bucks Sign High Scoring Robinson – Laredo Bucks • Join the Mudbugs and “Believe for Abilea” Tomorrow at BWW – Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs • Dunn, Ofukany Re-Sign with Jackalopes – Odessa Jackalopes

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