The Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Gasp
Amidst your heaviest lift, you try to take a deep breath to steady yourself—but you can’t. On dry land, you’re gasping for air, unable to quell your desperation for oxygen. The next moment, you pass out. You may have just experienced a condition called a pneumothorax.
What is a Spontaneous Pneumothorax?
More commonly known as a collapsed lung, pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and the pleural cavity, causing the lung to either partially or fully collapse. A spontaneous pneumothorax is when said collapsing occurs independent of any trauma to the thorax, such as broken ribs or blunt trauma. Rather, it is often caused by the rupture of blebs, which are small blisters located on the lung’s surface.
The idea that one’s lung can collapse amidst physical exercise may seem scary; however, it is incredibly uncommon—mostly happening under conditions of sudden, extreme strain or rapid pressure changes, such as scuba diving and powerlifting. In such cases, the intrathoracic pressure spikes dramatically when the lifter holds their breath, causing the increased risk.
Treatments
While a pneumothorax is a serious medical condition, the severity varies, as it is unoften that the entire lung will undergo collapse. Therefore, many treatments are either unnecessary or are minimal compared to other life-threatening conditions.
During a small pneumothorax, rest and time may be all that is necessary as the condition resolves itself. The excess air leaks will naturally defuse throughout the body, resolving the patient's “lack of breath.”
In a moderate to large pneumothorax, a needle may be inserted into the chest to relieve the pressure within the thoracic cavity. When the pressure is overbearing and the lung is completely collapsed, no oxygen can be diffused through the lungs, leaving the patient unable to breathe. In these severe cases, a chest tube is inserted into the pleural space to quicken the “air-transfer” process until the lung can reinflate.
In cases where the lung collapses repeatedly, surgery may be necessary to either completely remove the blebs, or fuse the lung to the chest wall, preventing further collapse.
Prevention Processes
Prevention of a spontaneous pneumothorax is not always possible. Certain individuals are genetically predisposed to such conditions, with higher risk found in those who are extremely tall, thin, or are younger athletes. Additionally, certain disorders such as Marfan syndrome, which impacts connective tissue, are also associated with such risk.
However, there are still many things to lower the likelihood of spontaneous pneumothorax, such as avoiding sudden pressure changes, maintaining lung health by avoiding smoking, and using proper breathing techniques during high-strain activities such as powerlifting.
It is always important to be completely rested and prepared for whatever exercise any individual may embark on, and if you feel like you may have had such issues, please contact your medical provider immediately.
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