Foods to avoid with pneumothorax

Written by Zhang Zhi Gong
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Updated on February 08, 2025
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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 Zhang Zhi Gong
Cardiothoracic Surgery
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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 Li Jie
Orthopedics
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How to treat rib fracture and pneumothorax?

After a rib fracture, if a pneumothorax occurs, it is a very serious complication. There are three types of pneumothorax: closed pneumothorax, open pneumothorax, and tension pneumothorax. The simplest is the closed pneumothorax. If the area of lung compression in a closed pneumothorax is less than 30%, there is a hope for self-healing, and generally no special treatment is needed; if the lung compression exceeds 30%, it might be necessary to place a closed thoracic drainage tube to drain the air accumulating in the chest cavity, which may need to stay in the chest cavity for about a week. This is the treatment for a closed pneumothorax. If it is an open pneumothorax, it means there is an open wound on the chest. The treatment principle is to convert the open pneumothorax to a closed pneumothorax, which means sealing the wound, turning it into a closed pneumothorax, and then taking x-rays to assess the degree of lung compression. If the compression is significant, closed thoracic drainage is still necessary; if the compression is less severe, observation can continue. For a tension pneumothorax, it is the most severe type of pneumothorax and must be taken very seriously. Emergency placement of a closed thoracic drainage is recommended and must be handled promptly, as it could pose a life-threatening risk. In summary, once a pneumothorax occurs following rib fractures, it must be taken seriously. It is necessary to go to the hospital's thoracic surgery or orthopedic department for formal and timely treatment to prevent potentially severe consequences.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Pneumothorax auscultation what sound?

Pneumothorax is a common medical emergency. After suffering from a pneumothorax, symptoms often include chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and coughing. Regarding lung auscultation by a doctor after pneumothorax, the sound heard primarily depends on the amount of air accumulated. If the air accumulation is minimal, the physical signs may not be obvious. If there is a substantial amount of air, the breathing sounds during auscultation are reduced. In cases of a large pneumothorax, the breathing sounds may disappear, while on the healthy side, the breathing sounds may be coarser and intensified. Therefore, if pneumothorax is suspected during a lung auscultation examination, an immediate imaging test should be conducted to confirm the diagnosis.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Can pneumothorax patients take a plane?

Pneumothorax is a relatively common clinical condition, usually caused by a rupture of the pleura, allowing air to enter the pleural cavity. Patients often experience symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, and coughing. So, can someone with pneumothorax fly on an airplane? Patients with pneumothorax are prohibited from flying because the high altitude may aggravate the condition, leading to serious consequences. Even after pneumothorax has healed, it is advised not to fly within a year, as flying may cause the pneumothorax to recur.

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Written by Li Tao
Pulmonology
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Pneumothorax is what disease?

Pneumothorax refers to the condition where gas enters the pleural cavity. Normally, the pleural cavity is a sealed space formed by the visceral pleura covering the lung surface and the parietal pleura on the chest wall. When gas enters the pleural cavity due to some reason, causing a state of gas accumulation, it is called pneumothorax. The causes of pneumothorax can be diseases of the lungs themselves or gas produced after the lungs and chest wall are injured by external forces. Typically, the condition occurs when the pleura near the lung surface ruptures, allowing gas to enter the pleural cavity, which is referred to as pneumothorax.