by Erich Rosenberger M.D.

Created on: March 05, 2008

Information about collapsed lungs (Atelectasis)

Your lungs can be thought of as two large air-filled balloons. As you breathe in, air fills the lungs, causing them to expand. When you breathe out, the lungs are prevented from collapsing completely because they are attached to the inner wall of your chest. There are numerous medical conditions which can cause your lungs to collapse completely. This is known in medicine as atelectasis.

When the lung collapses, the damage can affect the entire lung, or one small part of it. Any part of the lung which has collapsed is no longer able to be involved in oxygen exchange with the bloodstream. If a significant enough portion of your lung capacity has collapsed, breathing can become quite difficult. In very extreme cases, collapsed lungs can lead to a complete inability to get oxygen to your blood. Obviously, this can be quite dangerous and needs to be corrected immediately.

Physical trauma is one of the main causes of a collapsed lung. Any injury which penetrates the lining of the lung, such as what happens when you get stabbed, can cause pressure changes which will make the lung collapse. Chest injuries involving fractured ribs are a common cause of collapsed lungs. Sometimes the trauma is intentional, such as what happens during surgery. Surgeries, especially prolonged chest or abdominal surgery, can lead to your lungs collapsing.

In children, a common cause of collapsed lungs is the inhalation of small objects such as food or toys. Children have a habit of putting just about anything in their mouth. Peanuts, candy, and even Legos, can jam in the child's airways, causing the lung to collapse.

Infections are another cause of collapsed lungs. If an infection causes the buildup of mucus and puss, it is possible for the airways to become obstructed. When this happens, the pressure changes inside the lung can cause the airways to collapse. Children and adults with cystic fibrosis are especially at risk for developing thick mucus plugs in their lungs. These collections of mucus can block the airways and cause the lungs to collapse.

If you have any sort of chronic lung disease, such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, you are at increased risk for developing a collapsed lung. If you are a smoker, you are at increased risk as well. This is yet another reason why smoking should be stopped as soon as possible.

On occasion, it is possible for cancerous tumors to grow into the airways and cause blockages. When this happens, it is possible

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