Description

Atelectasis (at-uh-LEK-tuh-sis) is the collapse of a lung or part of a lung, also known as a lobe. This occurs when the tiny air sacs in the lungs, called alveoli, losing air.

Atelectasis is one of the most common respiratory complications after surgery. It is also a possible complication of other respiratory problems, including cystic fibrosis, lung tumors, chest injuries, fluid in the lung and respiratory weakness. You can develop atelectasis if you breathing in a foreign object.

This condition can make breathing difficult, especially if you already have lung disease. The treatment depends on what is causing the collapse and how severe it is.

The definition is broader than that of pneumothorax (noo-moe-THOR-aks). Pneumothorax is when air leaks into the space between the lungs and the chest wall, causing part or all of a lung to collapse. Pneumothorax is one of the several causes of atelectasis.

Symptoms

Perhaps there are no clear signs of atelectasis. If you have any of the symptoms, which may include:

  • Having a hard time breathing.
  • Fast and weak breathing.
  • Wheezing.
  • Cough.

When to see a doctor

Always seek medical attention right away if you have a hard time breathing. Other conditions in addition to atelectasis can make it hard to breathe, so it is important to get the right diagnosis and treatment. If your breathing suddenly becomes difficult, seek emergency medical help.

Causes

An obstruction of the airway can cause atelectasis. This is called atelectasis obstructive. The pressure from the outside of the lung can also cause atelectasis. This is called non-obstructive atelectasis.

General anesthesia — which brings in a sleeplike state with the use of medications before your procedure or surgery, is a common cause of atelectasis. Change your regular pattern of breathing and affects the pulmonary gas exchange. This may cause the air sacs in the lungs losing air. Almost all those who have major surgery has a certain amount of atelectasis. Often occurs after heart bypass surgery.

When an obstruction of the airways causes collapse, it may be due to:

  • Mucus plug. A mucus plug is a accumulation of sputum or phlegm in the respiratory tract. Typically occurs during and after surgery, because they can't cough. Drugs that are administered during the surgery make you breathe less deeply. So the mucus that normally move out of your lungs accumulate in the airways. Aspiration of secretions from the lungs during the surgery helps to eliminate them. But sometimes mucus continues to accumulate. Mucus plugs are also common in children, people with cystic fibrosis, and during severe asthma attacks.
  • Foreign body. Atelectasis is common in children who have inhaled an object into your lungs, such as a peanut or a small toy.
  • Tumor on the inside of the airways. Growth, which may or may not be cancer, it can restrict or block the airway.

Possible causes of atelectasis due to pressure from outside the lung include:

  • Of the injury. Chest trauma, such as a fall or car accident, can cause you to avoid taking deep breaths due to the pain. This can lead to the contraction of the lungs.
  • Pleural Effusion. This condition is the accumulation of fluid in the space between the lining of the lungs and the inside of the wall of his chest.
  • Pneumonia. Various types of pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs, can cause atelectasis.
  • The pneumothorax. This is when air leaks into the space between the lungs and the chest wall, causing some or all of a lung to collapse.
  • The scarring of the lung tissue. Injury, pulmonary disease, or surgery can cause scarring.
  • The Tumor. A large tumor can press against the lungs and the air force out of him.

Risk factors

The factors that make you more likely to get atelectasis include:

  • Any condition that makes it difficult to swallow.
  • Need to stay in bed for a long time and do not have enough changes of position.
  • The lung disease, such as asthma, bronchiectasis, or cystic fibrosis.
  • Recent surgery in the area of the stomach or in the chest.
  • Recent general anesthesia.
  • Weak breathing muscles due to muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury or other condition of the neuromuscular junction.
  • Medications that can cause weakness in the breath.
  • The pain or injury that can make it painful to cough or cause weakness in breathing, including stomach pain or a broken rib.
  • The habit of smoking.

Complications

A small area of atelectasis, especially in adults, they can usually be treated. These complications can come from atelectasis:

  • Low blood oxygen (hypoxemia). Atelectasis makes it more difficult for the lungs to receive oxygen to the alveoli.
  • Pneumonia. The risk of pneumonia continues until the collapse disappears. The mucus in a collapsed lung can lead to infection.
  • The respiratory failure. The loss of a lobe or an entire lung, especially in a child or someone with lung disease, can be fatal.

Prevention

Atelectasis in children is often caused by an obstruction in the airways. To reduce the risk of atelectasis, keep small objects out of reach of children.

In adults, atelectasis, most commonly occurs after major surgery. If you are scheduled for surgery, talk with your doctor about ways to reduce their risk. Some research shows that certain breathing exercises and muscle training can reduce the risk of atelectasis after some surgeries.

Diagnosis

A doctor's examination and plain chest X-ray may be all that is needed to diagnose atelectasis. But other tests may be done to confirm the origin of the symptoms or determine the type or severity of atelectasis.

These tests include:

  • Computed tomography. A ct scan can be better than an X-ray in the search for the cause and the type of atelectasis.
  • Oximetry. This simple test uses a small device placed on one of your fingers to measure your blood oxygen level. Help in the search of the severity of atelectasis is.
  • Chest ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to create detailed pictures of the structures inside your chest. A small handheld device is pressed against his chest and moved as needed to capture the images. You can find the causes of the collapse, such as pneumothorax, where air leaks into the space between the lungs and the chest wall, and pleural effusion, where fluid builds up around the lungs.
  • The bronchoscopy. During this test, a flexible, lighted tube is placed down your throat. This allows your doctor to see what may be causing an obstruction. Possible causes include a plug of mucus, a tumor or a foreign body. This test can also be used to remove the locks.

Treatment

The treatment of atelectasis depends on the cause. Mild atelectasis may disappear without treatment. Sometimes, medications are used to loosen and thin mucus. If the condition is due to a blockage, you may need surgery or other treatments.

Chest physical therapy

Chest physical therapy, also called chest physiotherapy, is a group of techniques for clearing of the airways. They help to breathe deeply after surgery to expand the lung tissue affected. It is better to learn these techniques before surgery.

These techniques include:

  • Do deep breathing exercises using a hand-held device called an incentive spirometer, followed by a deep cough to help clear the lungs. This technique can help to get rid of mucus and other secretions. And it can help your lung to return to its larger size.
  • The positioning of your body so that your head is lower than your chest. This allows the mucus to drain better from the bottom of his lungs.
  • Click on the chest in the collapsed area to loosen the mucus. This technique is called the percussion. You can also use the mechanics of the mucus clearance devices, such as an air pulse vibrator vest or a hand-held instrument.

Surgery

Suctioning of mucus or doing a bronchoscopy can get rid of the blockages of the airways. During the bronchoscopy, the doctor will gently guide a flexible tube down your throat to clear the airways.

If a tumor is causing atelectasis, the treatment may involve the elimination or reduction of the tumor during the bronchoscopy, which may include surgery. Other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation, may or may not be necessary.

Respiratory treatments

In some cases, a breathing tube may be necessary.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may help some people who are too weak to cough and have low levels of oxygen, also called hypoxemia after surgery.

Preparing for your appointment

Unless you need emergency care, it is likely to first see your family doctor. But in some cases, when you call to schedule an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a pulmonologist. This is a doctor who specializes in diseases of the lungs.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment, make a list of:

  • The symptoms that you are taking, including those that do not seem to be related to why you scheduled the appointment.
  • When the onset of symptoms and what you were doing at the time.
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
  • Questions for your doctor.

Questions to ask your doctor

Ask questions to your doctor, such as:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • What treatment do you recommend it?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • Are there any dietary or activity restrictions?
  • Do you have any brochures or other printed material I can have?
  • What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask questions during your appointment if you do not understand something or you need more information.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you several questions, including:

  • When did you start having symptoms?
  • Do you always have symptoms, or come and go?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • Have you had a fever?
  • What, if anything, it makes you feel better?
  • What, in any case, it makes your symptoms worse?

Have a family member or friend with you to your appointment, if possible, to help you remember everything that is said.

Symptoms and treatment of Atelectasis