A pneumothorax is the abnormal presence of air between the lungs and ribs (pleural space) due to a tear in the lung or chest trauma. When there is so much air that the lungs, heart and large vessels are compressed and collapse, it is called a tension pneumothorax.
It can be caused by a spontaneous rupture of the lung due to underlying lung disease or as a result of chest trauma.
You will feel sudden pain in your chest and experience shortness of breath, tachycardia, low blood pressure, lack of oxygen in the blood, and it can even lead to loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest.
It can be seen on physical examination, but an X-ray or ultrasound is useful for better assessment of the extent and other analysis.
Tension pneumothorax requires immediate drainage (puncture) of the air to decompress the heart and lungs. If it recurs or the lung collapses, surgery is needed.
This is a life-threatening emergency and the emergency services must be called for immediate help.
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