Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax is an accumulation of air (gas) in the pleural cavity *.
This accumulation of air may be accidental, the result of a wound to the lung, for example, therapeutic (artificial pneumothorax) or without obvious cause. It can sometimes occur in people suffering from lung disease.
The symptoms are varied depending on the severity of the condition. They range from a simple chest pain to a very great difficulty in breathing and severe pain.
Pneumothorax causes the lung to collapse. The breathing difficulty associated with this subsidence can be very serious and require urgent medical intervention. Blood flow may be affected.
Small pneumothorax may heal in three weeks with analgesics and rest. In some cases, a drain is installed in order to suck in the pleural cavity. Surgery is sometimes necessary
The artificial pneumothorax (caused intentionally) is sometimes part of treatment for the healing of another disease such as tuberculosis.
Scuba diving and high altitudes are strongly discouraged for afected people.
PLEURAL *: refers to the pleura. The pleura is a membrane that surrounds the lungs. 13 avril 2010
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