What Does Spontaneous Pneumothorax Really Mean?
The Type of Collapsed Lung for Which Doctors Have Few Answers
Sep 23, 2009
A collapsed lung is caused by a buildup of air in the chest cavity known as a pneumothorax. It is a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention by a qualified physician.
Many incidences of a pneumothorax are caused by trauma sustained to the chest cavity. However, a sizable percentage of pneumothoraces occur without any trauma. This type of condition is called a spontaneous pneumothorax. They can be caused by an existing condition or by genetic imperfections in the lining of the lungs.
The Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax Will Frustrate Those Looking for Its Cause
There are two types of spontaneous pneumothoraces. The primary spontaneous pneumothorax is caused by the bursting of a bleb (minor imperfection) on the lining of the lung without exacerbation by an existing respiratory condition.
This allows air from inside the lung to escape into the pleural cavity. Over time, the air pressure inside the pleural cavity will increase to the point where the lungs are not able to expand properly, and a collapsed lung will result.
This is the more frightening type of spontaneous pneumothorax because it can, literally, come out of nowhere. A person in excellent health, and through no fault of his own, can develop the condition without warning. Treatment usually requires a stay of at least a few days in a hospital and there is no guarantee it will not happen again.
A primary spontaneous pneumothorax is most common in young men who are both tall and thin and who have no history of lung disease. The incidence decreases as these men reach middle age. The susceptibility of this group is not due to weight or lifestyle factors, but because men who are tall and thin are genetically predisposed to having lungs with large volumes and large, weak blebs that have a tendency to burst.
This condition is not limited to men possessed of a tall, thin frame. The condition also occurs in women, although the incidence is much rarer. Older patients may also experience a primary spontaneous pneumothorax, but these sufferers constitute only a small portion of those afflicted.
The Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax and COPD
This type of pneumothorax is caused by a known respiratory illness. Like a primary spontaneous pneumothorax, the catalyst for the collapse of the lung is a burst bleb, but in secondary cases, the bleb had been previously weakened by a known lung disease.
A number of ailments can result in a spontaneous pneumothorax, including asthma, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, Marfan syndrome (a genetic disorder of the connective tissue), tuberculosis, and pneumonia. However, the most common cause of this condition is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
COPD refers to the dual symptoms of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, most often brought on by prolonged use of tobacco products. It has consistently ranked in the top 10 worldwide causes of death. The damage it reaps on the lungs is often irreversible and the accompanying loss of lung elasticity makes them especially susceptible to tearing.
Pneumothorax Symptoms Include Chest Pain and Shortness of Breath
A most frightening aspect of a spontaneous pneumothorax is its unpredictability. It is rare for such a serious condition to manifest itself so suddenly and without any apparent cause. Consequently, many of those afflicted do not know what is happening to them when their chest begins to ache and their breathing becomes labored. To some, it can feel like a heart attack.
It is important to know the symptoms associated with a pneumothorax so that when one occurs it can be identified and the afflicted person can be taken immediately to a hospital.
Related Articles
- What Pulmonary Problems Cause a Pneumothorax? - describes the common causes of a collapsed lung, including stab and gunshot wounds as well as barotrauma that results from scuba diving accidents
- What's the Least Painful Pneumothorax Treatment? - details the ways in which physicians treat a collapsed lung, including insertion of a chest tube and a surgical procedures known as a pleurodesis where the lung lining is attached to the inside of the chest wall
- Can a Tension Pneumothorax Result in Death? - describes a life-threatening form of collapsed lung where the pressure buildup inside the chest wall is so great it begins to displace other organs, including the heart
Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute in any way for care and treatment by a qualified health professional.
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