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 Array Atelectasis Chest tube insertion Chest tube insertion – slideshow Collapsed lung (pneumothorax) Hemothorax Lung surgery Pneumothorax – slideshow Pneumothorax – infants Start Here Atelectasis National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Atelectasis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Pneumothorax Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Diagnosis and Tests Chest CT Scan National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Chest Pain, Acute American Academy of Family Physicians Shortness of Breath American Academy of Family Physicians What is Bronchoscopy? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Treatments and Therapies Chest Tube Thoracostomy American Thoracic Society How Is Atelectasis Treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Thoracentesis National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Pneumothorax National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Pulmonary Atelectasis National Institutes of Health Prevention and Risk Factors How Can Atelectasis Be Prevented? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute What Causes Atelectasis? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Related Issues LAM (Lymphangioleiomyomatosis) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Lung Emergencies Marfan Foundation Living With MedlinePlus: Pulmonary Rehabilitation National Library of Medicine Journal Articles Collapsed Lung Reference Desk What Are the Lungs? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
