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Collapsed Lung
Summary
A collapsed lung happens when air enters the pleural space, the area between the lung and the chest wall. If it is a total collapse, it is called pneumothorax. If only part of the lung is affected, it is called atelectasis.
Causes of a collapsed lung include:
- Lung diseases such as pneumonia or lung cancer
- Being on a breathing machine
- Surgery on the chest or abdomen
- A blocked airway
If only a small area of the lung is affected, you may not have symptoms. If a large area is affected, you may feel short of breath and have a rapid heart rate.
A chest x-ray can tell if you have it. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Find an Expert
- American Lung Association American Lung Association
- Lung HelpLine and Tobacco QuitLine American Lung Association
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Patient Handouts
- Atelectasis Medical Encyclopedia
- Chest tube insertion Medical Encyclopedia
- Collapsed lung (pneumothorax) Medical Encyclopedia
- Hemothorax Medical Encyclopedia
- Lung surgery Medical Encyclopedia
- Pneumothorax – infants Medical Encyclopedia
Start Here
- Atelectasis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Pneumothorax Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Diagnosis and Tests
- Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) National Library of Medicine
- Shortness of Breath American Academy of Family Physicians
- Tests for Lung Disease National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Treatments and Therapies
- Chest tube insertion – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
- Chest Tube Thoracostomy American Thoracic Society
- Pneumothorax – series — Normal Medical Encyclopedia
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Pneumothorax National Institutes of Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Pulmonary Atelectasis National Institutes of Health
Reference Desk
- How the Lungs Work National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Journal Articles
Living With
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
Related Issues
- What Is LAM (Lymphangioleiomyomatosis)? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute