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

• Collapsed Lung

Living With

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine

Related Issues

• What Is LAM (Lymphangioleiomyomatosis)? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute