Lung
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A lung injury can occur any time a person receives a blow to the chest. The result is usually a collapsed lung, or pneumothorax. The lung and the chest wall are covered by thin membranes called pleura. A collapsed lung occurs when air escapes from the lungs or leaks through the chest wall and enters the space between the two membranes (pleural cavity). As air builds up, it causes the nearby lung to collapse. A chest x-ray is usually taken to confirm you have a collapsed lung. A computed tomography - CT scan - may be needed in some cases to find a small collapsed area of a lung or for people with extensive lung disease.
A collapsed lung is usually caused by an injury to the lungs or chest wall, such as:
- A penetrating injury, such as a knife or gunshot wound
- Blunt trauma from a fall or car accident
- Medical procedures, such as removal of fluid from the pleural cavity with a needle (thoracentesis) or a lung biopsy
Symptoms of a collapsed lung:
- Respiratory distress
- Coughing up blood
- Sudden, stabbing chest pain (often on one side)
- Open chest wound
- Shock
- Impaled object in the chest
- Chest tightness
- Dry, hacking cough
If the lung has been damaged by diseases such as, asthma, cystic fibrosis, emphysema and pneumonia the lung may collapse without having any of type of trauma.
Normally, with a collapsed lung (pneumonthorax) air can move in and out through a tear in the lung or chest wall. If air only moves into the chest cavity and is not released out a condition called tension pneumothroax can occur. Tension pneumothroax commonly occurs in people with penetrating chest injuries, people on ventilators or patients who have had cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Symptoms of a tension pneumothorax are similar and might also include:
· Bluish color skin (because of a lack of oxygen)
· Engorgement of the neck veins
· Low blood pressure or shock
About 9 of every 100,000 people each year have a lung collapse.
A device called a pulse oximeter is used by doctors to check the oxygen level in your blood. Your physician may also order an arterial blood gas test to directly measure the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood. An electrocardiogram (EKG), an electrical test of the heart may also be done.
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