The fastest method for spontaneous pneumothorax recovery.

Written by Yuan Qing

Pulmonology

Updated on February 22, 2025

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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 Han Shun Li

Pulmonology

39sec

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Pneumothorax should go to which department?

Pneumothorax is caused by a rupture of the pleura, allowing air to enter the pleural cavity, leading to symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, and chest tightness. If there is a substantial amount of air accumulation, the symptoms can be quite pronounced, and severe cases can lead to respiratory failure and hypoxia. If one seeks medical attention for a pneumothorax, they could visit either the respiratory medicine department or thoracic surgery department. After consulting a doctor, treatment may involve procedures like pleural cavity puncture for air extraction or pleural cavity tube drainage to relieve the symptoms of pneumothorax as quickly as possible.

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Written by Zhang Zhi Gong

Cardiothoracic Surgery

1min 11sec

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Can pneumothorax be inherited?

In fact, medicine has found that most diseases, other than traumatic ones caused by injuries or car accidents, are related to genes or heredity. For instance, diseases like diabetes and hypertension clearly have a familial hereditary history. Pneumothorax is no exception, as it also tends to cluster in certain families, or has a higher tendency than in normal families. Therefore, pneumothorax does possess a certain hereditary nature, particularly in families prone to connective tissue disorders such as Marfan Syndrome. Additionally, pneumothorax often occurs in families with mutations in the human leukocyte antigen, and in those with conditions such as homocystinuria or antitrypsin deficiency, where pneumothorax is more prevalent. Of course, there are also conditions like Marfan Syndrome and Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) Syndrome in these families, which also tend to develop renal cysts, renal tumors, and skin fibrofolliculomas. Thus, the more frequent occurrence of pneumothorax in these families demonstrates that pneumothorax is genetically related and has a certain degree of heredity.

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Written by Zhang Zhi Gong

Cardiothoracic Surgery

1min 15sec

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The difference between tension pneumothorax and open pneumothorax.

The main difference between a tension pneumothorax and an open pneumothorax lies in the relative pressures of the pleural cavity compared to the atmospheric pressure. An open pneumothorax occurs when the pleural cavity is in an open state due to some reason. During inhalation, gas can enter the pleural cavity, and during exhalation, the gas can be expelled through this opening or another opening, resulting in pleural cavity pressure that is roughly equal to the atmospheric pressure. In a tension pneumothorax, due to some reason, a one-way valve is formed. The gas enters the pleural cavity easily but encounters resistance during expulsion, causing the pressure in the patient's pleural cavity to increase progressively. The gas can only enter the pleural cavity and cannot be effectively expelled. Therefore, the main difference between a tension pneumothorax and an open pneumothorax is the level of pleural cavity pressure compared to atmospheric pressure; in a tension pneumothorax, the pressure in the pleural cavity is significantly higher than the atmospheric pressure, while in an open pneumothorax, the pressures are roughly equal.

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Written by Han Shun Li

Pulmonology

47sec

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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 Zhang Zhi Gong

Cardiothoracic Surgery

1min 32sec

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Causes of pneumothorax

The causes of pneumothorax vary with age. In young people, the condition often occurs in tall, thin individuals, somewhat akin to a balloon. We can liken the lung to a balloon: for shorter, heavier individuals, the balloon is rounder and experiences more uniform stress, whereas for tall, thin individuals, it's as if the balloon is being stretched vertically. Therefore, the tips of the balloon (or the lung) in tall, thin individuals are more prone to rupture. Additionally, for tall, thin individuals, the blood supply to the apical alveoli may not be as robust, making them more susceptible to micro-ruptures. Microscopic anatomical structures have also proven that there are tiny pores in the apical bubble tissues in these individuals. In older adults, the causes of pneumothorax are usually underlying lung diseases, such as chronic smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, and other conditions like tuberculosis or HIV infections can also lead to pneumothorax. Some cases are due to traumatic causes like physical injuries or stab wounds, which can lead to secondary or iatrogenic pneumothorax. In summary, while the causes of pneumothorax vary by age, in young people, it more commonly stems from being tall and thin. In older individuals, smoking, tobacco use, chronic bronchitis, and infections are more common causes.