How do I know if my lung is collapsing?

A collapsed lung, also known as a pneumothorax, occurs when air leaks into the space between your lung and chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This can be a life-threatening condition if not treated promptly. Knowing the signs and symptoms of a collapsed lung can help you identify it quickly and get the medical care you need.

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What are the symptoms of a collapsed lung?

The most common symptoms of a collapsed lung include:

Sudden, sharp chest or shoulder pain on one side that worsens with deep breathing or coughing
Shortness of breath
Rapid heart rate

Bluish color of the skin due to lack of oxygen
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting

Dizziness or lightheadedness

The pain is often described as sharp, stabbing or knifelike. Any sudden, unexplained chest pain should be evaluated medically right away. You may also have difficulty breathing or feel short of breath, like you can’t get enough air. The symptoms usually start suddenly and intensify quickly. Sometimes the collapse occurs incrementally over several hours.

What causes a collapsed lung?

There are a few potential causes of a collapsed lung:

Spontaneous pneumothorax: This occurs without any apparent cause in otherwise healthy people. It may be related to a small rupture of a lung or air blister.
Secondary pneumothorax: This happens to people with existing lung disease, such as asthma, COPD or lung cancer. The lung tissue is already damaged.
Traumatic pneumothorax: Any blunt chest injury, like from a car accident, can cause a collapsed lung.

Medical procedures: Lung biopsies, chest tube insertions or mechanical ventilation can lead to air leaking in the chest.

Less commonly, pneumothorax occurs during air travel, scuba diving or high altitude climbing when pressure changes cause air pockets to form. It also has been linked to smoking and vaping.

Who is at risk for a collapsed lung?

Those at higher risk for a collapsed lung include:

People with chronic lung diseases like COPD, cystic fibrosis or lung cancer
Tall, thin individuals
Smokers and vapers

Those who recently had a lung biopsy or other chest procedures
People with Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndromes
Pilots, divers and mountain climbers

Spontaneous collapsed lungs most often affect men ages 20-40. But it can happen to anyone at any age. Seek emergency care if you develop sudden chest pain or breathing problems, especially if you are at higher risk.

How is a collapsed lung diagnosed?

If a collapsed lung is suspected based on your symptoms, the doctor will do tests to confirm the diagnosis, including:

Chest X-ray – This usually can identify a collapsed lung, showing an abnormal pocket of air in the chest cavity.

CT scan – A chest CT provides more detailed images to pinpoint the location and extent of the collapsed lung.
Pulse oximetry – This non-invasive test measures oxygen levels in the blood to assess your oxygen intake.
Arterial blood gases – A blood sample is analyzed to determine oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.

The results of these tests can help determine the severity of the pneumothorax and guide treatment options.

What is the treatment for a collapsed lung?

Treatment for a collapsed lung involves removing the excess air putting pressure on the lung and allowing the lung to re-expand. Options may include:

Oxygen therapy – Extra oxygen is given through a nasal cannula or mask to help relieve shortness of breath.

Needle aspiration – A needle and syringe are used to withdraw air from the pleural space.
Chest tube insertion – A small plastic tube is inserted between the ribs into the pleural space and attached to a suction device to allow ongoing drainage of air.
Surgery – This may be done if there is a persistent air leak or collapsed lung that fails to re-expand using other methods.

Treatment usually lasts several days until the air pocket resolves, lung re-expands and any leaks have sealed. Pain medications will be given to manage chest discomfort. Breathing exercises can also help restore full lung capacity.

In mild cases of a small pneumothorax that isn’t worsening, the doctor may recommend just rest and observation without invasive treatment. But larger collapses causing significant symptoms generally require active treatment.

Can a collapsed lung be prevented?

There’s no guaranteed way to prevent a collapsed lung, but the following can reduce your risks:

Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
Treat chronic lung disease, like COPD or emphysema.
Avoid scuba diving if you have blebs or bullae in your lungs.

Use proper safety equipment for high-risk sports and activities.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Avoid air travel until a pneumothorax has fully resolved.

See your doctor promptly for any recurring lung symptoms or infections. Those with certain lung conditions may benefit from preventive surgery to remove damaged blebs or bullae in the lungs.

Are there complications from a collapsed lung?

Possible complications of a pneumothorax include:

A tension pneumothorax – This is a life-threatening situation in which the lung collapses completely, putting pressure on the heart and blood vessels.

Respiratory failure – The lack of oxygen can progress to respiratory failure.
Shock – Low oxygen can result in shock.
Lung collapse again in the future – Those who have one pneumothorax are at higher risk for recurrence.

Infection – An empyema may develop if the pleural space becomes infected.
Heart complications – Low oxygen levels can cause heart arrhythmias or cardiac arrest.

That’s why prompt emergency treatment is essential for a collapsed lung. Even with treatment, recovery can take several weeks for the lung to fully re-expand and function normally again.

When should I call the doctor?

Seek emergency medical care right away if you experience any symptoms of a possible collapsed lung, such as:

Sudden stabbing chest pain that worsens with breathing
Sharp shoulder pain

Shortness of breath or increased difficulty breathing
Rapid heart rate, sweating or lightheadedness
Coughing up blood

Bluish lips or fingernails
Confusion or extreme fatigue

Even if symptoms start to improve, it’s still essential to get prompt medical evaluation. Symptoms that seem minor at first can quickly worsen with a pneumothorax. When in doubt, seek emergency care to be safe.

What is the long-term outlook?

With timely treatment, the long-term outlook for a collapsed lung is generally favorable. However, pneumothorax can sometimes be life-threatening depending on the severity, cause and complications. Prompt treatment is key.

Many people recover fully within 1-2 weeks after a mild to moderate lung collapse with appropriate care. But it may take several weeks to months to regain full lung function after a more severe collapse.

Recurrence of collapsed lung is common, ranging from 20-50% after initial pneumothorax. Those with chronic lung disease are at higher risk of recurrence. Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight can help lower risks.

Key takeaways

Seek emergency care for sudden chest pain or breathing difficulty, which could signal a collapsed lung.
A pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the space between the chest wall and lung, causing lung collapse.
Risk factors include chronic lung disease, smoking, trauma, medical procedures and pressure changes.

Diagnostic tests like x-rays, CT scans and pulse oximetry are used to confirm a collapsed lung.
Treatment involves removing excess air and allowing the lung to re-expand, often with a chest tube.
Possible complications include respiratory failure, shock and tension pneumothorax.

Recovering fully may take several weeks, and recurrence is common without lifestyle changes.

The bottom line

A collapsed lung is a medical emergency requiring prompt evaluation and treatment. At the first sign of sudden chest pain or shortness of breath, call 911 or head to the nearest emergency room. With quick care, the outlook for recovery is generally good. But delays can allow it to rapidly progress to a life-threatening situation.