Understanding Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax is the technical term for a collapsed lung. In the event of a collapsed lung or suspected pneumothorax medical attention must be sought immediately. People with cystic fibrosis or other chronic lung disease are likely to experience a collapsed lung at some point.

The lungs and chest wall are connected within the chest cavity in such a way that there is tension between the two. Without the lungs, the ribcage would naturally expand. Without the connective tissue between the lungs and chest wall, the lungs would naturally contract or deflate like a balloon. When both are strong enough and healthy enough, the two forces balance each other.

A collapsed lung occurs when the lung separates from the chest wall and contracts. This results in the pleural lining around the lung to fill with air. The air pocket then puts pressure on the lung causing a great deal of pain. As a result, the amount of oxygen in the blood-as measured by a pulse oximeter-decreases. This is because the alveoli, which are the small airways, have collapsed and cannot do the work of exchanging oxygen. Air is being taken in with each breath, but it does not adequately oxygenate the lungs. Instead, the inhaled air filled the gap between the chest wall and the lung.

In order to relieve the pressure exerted on the lung, the source of the leak must be found. This is done via a CT scan.

In patients with cystic fibrosis, there comes a time when the elasticity and strength of the lungs has deteriorated. The connective tissue has become weakened by frequent lung infections and pneumonia. This typically happens as the disease progresses from moderate to severe.

Symptoms of a collapsed lung:

· Sharp pain in the chest

· Sudden shortness of breath

· Painful breathing

· Tightness in the chest and back

· Dry cough

· Rapid heartbeat

· Blue lips

"Blebs" are a leading cause of collapsed lungs in cystic fibrosis patients. A bleb is a particularly weak or abnormal section of the lining of the lungs that may burst. When this happens, the lung deflates rapidly.