Pneumothorax, which department should it go to?

Written by Wang Xiang Yu

Pulmonology

Updated on September 28, 2024

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Which department is better for pneumothorax treatment? There isn't a strict definition dictating which specific department one must visit for pneumothorax. Generally, you can visit the respiratory department or the cardiothoracic surgery department. If the patient's condition is very severe, then the first choice should be the emergency department, where emergency treatment can be provided before further referral.

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Written by Zhang Zhi Gong

Cardiothoracic Surgery

1min 23sec

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Foods to avoid with pneumothorax

We know that the lung tissue of a normal person is like a balloon. When breathing, this balloon expands and contracts, and there are about hundreds of millions of small structures in the lungs like balloons, which we call alveolar tissue. This structure also continuously expands and contracts, expelling carbon dioxide and inhaling oxygen. For certain reasons, such as infection or due to the body shape of tall, thin young people, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchitis in elderly people, this alveolar structure can rupture, causing some alveoli to merge into a large bulla. Of course, if the large bulla eventually ruptures, the break in this balloon-like surface will leak air into the pleural cavity, causing a pneumothorax. As for the nutrition from food, we believe that patients should not refrain from certain foods, but should instead increase their intake of protein, such as eating three to four egg whites daily. If worried about high cholesterol, discard the yolk, consuming only one yolk per day, but ensuring adequate protein intake. Therefore, for patients with pneumothorax, it is not about avoiding certain foods, but about eating more of those foods to which they are not allergic, such as shrimp and beef, rather than restricting their diet.

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Written by Yuan Qing

Pulmonology

37sec

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The fastest method for spontaneous pneumothorax recovery.

Pneumothorax is mainly caused by various reasons that allow air inside the lungs to enter the pleural cavity, resulting in the accumulation of gas and the compression of the lung, reducing its volume. Clinically, for patients with lung compression not exceeding 30%, a conservative approach is typically chosen, which involves allowing the patients to heal naturally. For these patients who wish to accelerate their recovery, it is generally recommended to inhale high concentrations of oxygen, which can aid in the healing of the lungs. Additionally, it is important to increase nutrition and protein intake to enhance lung repair and recovery.

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Written by Zhang Zhi Gong

Cardiothoracic Surgery

58sec

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Pneumothorax recurrence symptoms

We know that normally there is no air in the pleural cavity, only a small amount of fluid or lubricant exists. However, in certain people, such as those who often smoke, tall and thin young people, and patients with chronic bronchitis, the alveoli in their lungs tend to be more fragile and can easily rupture. People experiencing a pneumothorax for the first time might feel this during certain situations like after a cold, coughing, sneezing, or playing sports, which can lead to a recurrence of the pneumothorax. Early symptoms of a recurrence, due to only a small amount of air compression, might not be very uncomfortable, just a slight sense of difficulty breathing. As the pneumothorax increases, symptoms like chest pain and difficulty breathing can develop. Therefore, the symptoms of a recurring pneumothorax are not identical each time, but there is a pattern; the severity can range from mild breathing difficulty to severe respiratory distress and chest pain.

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Written by Han Shun Li

Pulmonology

45sec

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Can pneumothorax recover by itself?

Pneumothorax is caused by a rupture of the pleura, allowing air to enter the pleural space. Patients often display symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. A lung radiograph can confirm the presence of a pneumothorax. Whether a patient with pneumothorax can recover on their own depends on the size of the pneumothorax. If it is a large pneumothorax, especially a communicative or tension pneumothorax, self-recovery is not possible, and treatment generally involves pleural puncture or pleural drainage tube placement. However, if the amount of air in the pneumothorax is small and the patient does not exhibit severe symptoms, then it is possible for the condition to resolve itself with bed rest.

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Written by Zhang Zhi Gong

Cardiothoracic Surgery

1min 5sec

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How to check for hemothorax and pneumothorax?

Actually, the examination methods for hemothorax and pneumothorax are quite simple. From their definitions, we know that hemothorax means the abnormal presence of blood in the pleural cavity, and pneumothorax means the presence of gas in the pleural cavity where it shouldn't be. Therefore, the simplest examination is an X-ray, a standard frontal and lateral chest X-ray, which usually costs about 52 yuan, can detect whether a patient has pneumothorax. As for hemothorax, of course, it involves the use of a syringe. After injecting some lidocaine local anesthesia into the patient, if blood is withdrawn from the pleural cavity, then it indicates a hemothorax. Thus, the first step in examining for hemothorax and pneumothorax is to perform an X-ray to check for the presence of gas. If gas is detected, then it is pneumothorax. If liquid is found, a syringe under ultrasound guidance can be used to withdraw it. If the withdrawal yields fluid, it indicates pleural effusion; if blood is drawn, then it indicates hemothorax.