About this topic
A pneumothorax is also known as a collapsed lung. It is a build-up of air outside your lungs. When you take a breath, this puts pressure on your lungs so they cannot inflate normally. ‚
If there is only a small amount of air on the outside of your lung, it may go away on its own. Other times, your doctor may try giving you oxygen to help it go away. Your doctor may put in a needle to take out the air. Sometimes, a chest tube is put in for a little while to help get rid of the air. Surgery may be needed if you do not respond well with other treatments. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- You may learn coughing or breathing exercises at the hospital. Practice them when you get home. Your doctor may also suggest using an incentive spirometer at home. This is a device that can help you with deep breathing.
If you had a chest tube or surgery, talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about: ‚
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
Avoid changes in air pressure. Talk to your doctor before you: ‚
What problems could happen?
- Collapsed lung could come back
- Low blood oxygen levels
- Heart arrest
- Shock
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
To help lower the risk for a collapsed lung: ‚
- Avoid smoking. If you smoke, you are more likely to get pneumothorax.
- Avoid activities that can increase your risk for chest injuries.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, or wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Shortness of breath
- Increased chest pain
- Tiredness or lack of energy
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my breathing.
- I can tell you how to care for my chest tube site, if I have one.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have trouble breathing or redness or warmth at the chest tube site.
Where can I learn more?
Canadian Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/a-z/pneumothorax-pneumothorax/index_e.php ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚