Atelectasis and pneumothorax might sound quite similar in their definition but are different in many ways. Atelectasis refers to the partial collapse of the lung while pneumothorax refers to the complete collapse of lungs due to the presence of air in the cavity between them. Let us draw a comparison in both the medical conditions:

Causes for Atelectasis

• The condition of atelectasis is most commonly seen as an aftermath of the surgery of the patient. General anesthesia or even the procedure of the surgery can lead to the partial collapse of the lungs.
• The chances of the collapse of your lungs may also be due to blockage by mucus. An object that one might have inhaled and is now stuck in the airway is the most common cause of atelectasis among children. The blockage of the airway might even be because of the presence of a tumor, hence you can get it checked by a lung specialist for the same.
• Another reason your lungs might face a partial collapse is being subjected to continuous pressure. The reasons for the same might include scarred lung tissues, pneumonia, pneumothorax, a tight body cast, or a deformed bone.
• The use of a breathing tube may also lead to atelectasis. If the endotracheal tube is inserted too deeply into the tracheobronchial tree and the lip of the endotracheal tube rests against the right upper lobe orifice, the air passage is obstructed and leads to this medical condition.

Causes for Pneumothorax

• Injury: A chest injury is one of the main causes of the complete collapse of the lungs. a penetration through injury may be due to an accident or due to a medical procedure gone wrong by a lung specialist.
• Disease: A person with lung disease has a higher risk of facing pneumothorax. A complete lung collapse can be a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, or pneumonia. This is because when the tissues of the lungs are damaged, they don’t have the strength to avoid a collapse.
• Ventilation: Patients who use mechanical ventilation long-term are also at a risk to face pneumothorax. This is because when the ventilator is helping the person to breathe, it might create imbalanced air pressure in the chest.

Lungs treatment in India is quite readily available everywhere, hence if you feel that you might be at a risk of facing atelectasis or pneumothorax, you should contact a specialist and get examined.

If you are looking for a lungs specialist in Hyderabad, you should consider contacting Dr. Gokhale. With his team, he can carry out the most complex surgeries with ease and effortlessly makes the lives of his patients better.

Lung conditions are something that should not be overlooked at any point in time. Hence, if you have gone through surgery or have damaged lungs and now are facing extreme difficulty in breathing you should contact a lung specialist. Dr. Gokhale also holds expertise in lung transplant surgery in Hyderabad, hence you can assess your options before you come to a decision.