Pneumothorax, which is a collapsed lung, can cause a variety of symptoms. The main symptoms of a pneumothorax include pain, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. In many cases, a person with a pneumothorax will also notice that their heart is beating faster than normal. However, in some cases, a person with a mild form of this condition may not have many symptoms. For example, you may have mild chest discomfort that you mistake for something else.
Pain is one of the most common symptoms of a pneumothorax. Chest pain often develops when a person has this condition, and an individual may describe the pain as sharp. Chest pain typical of a pneumothorax is often accompanied by a feeling of tightness in the chest. Some cases of pneumothorax can be somewhat mild, involving only a slightly collapsed lung. However, even in milder cases, a person is likely to experience at least some chest pain and tightness.
Breathing difficulties and changes in heart rate can also develop as symptoms of a pneumothorax. Shortness of breath, for example, often accompanies this condition. In some cases, a patient with a collapsed lung may also breathe faster than normal. Also, many patients with this condition develop a faster heart rate.
Some of the other symptoms that can develop when a person has a pneumothorax are cough and fatigue. Oxygen levels in a person's blood can also drop as a result of a collapsed lung. This can cause a person's skin to take on a bluish hue, which is another sign of a pneumothorax.
While a person may suspect that they have a pneumothorax based on their symptoms, it is imperative that they see their doctor for a diagnosis. To diagnose a patient with pneumothorax, a doctor may take a medical history, assess the patient's symptoms, and listen to the patient's lungs with a stethoscope. By listening with a stethoscope, a doctor can detect breathing changes in a collapsed lung. X-rays, computerized axial tomography (CT) scans, and blood tests that measure oxygen levels can also be helpful in making a diagnosis.
An individual is usually advised to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms of pneumothorax. This is because complications of the condition, including cardiac arrest, can occur if left untreated. However, if the pain or shortness of breath is severe, a person may do well to go to an emergency room for immediate evaluation and treatment.