Atelectasis is the medical term for a collapsed lung. It may be due to compression of the lung tissue or obstruction of the air passages (bronchi). The collapse may affect a small part of the lung or the whole lung.
Potential causes include:
- Prolonged bed rest
- Heavy sedation
- Obesity
- Lung compression caused by fluid (pleural effusion) or air (pneumothorax) in the pleural space
- A foreign object in the airway, which is most common in children
- Tumors that obstruct the airway
Signs and symptoms of a collapsed lung include:
- Breathing difficulty
- Chest pain
- Cough
A doctor may diagnose a collapsed lung by a chest X-ray or bronchoscopy. A partial lung collapse isn't life-threatening. But a complete collapse requires emergency medical attention. Treatment is directed at the re-expansion of the affected lung.
