How to Recover From a Collapsed Lung
Treatment for a collapsed lung may involve removing air from the pleural space between the wall of the chest cavity and the lung. Depending on whether the cause is related to lung disease, cigarette smoking, blunt force trauma or a penetrating injury to the lungs or chest wall, the length of time it can take to recover varies among individuals. Although in most cases a collapsed lung returns to normal within 48 to 72 hours, complete recovery can take up to a week or two.
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Instructions
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Describe all symptoms to your physician. Whether a lung will heal on its own or you need to be treated in a hospital depends on the general state of your health. Other factors include whether the lung collapse is partial or full and if an injury is involved. Treatment may require removing air through a chest tube or needle and syringe, allowing the lung to re-expand.
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Manage any underlying medical condition such as emphysema, asthma or cystic fibrosis that might be responsible for the collapse. These diseases can cause thick mucus to obstruct the airway.
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Follow your doctor's instructions and get plenty of rest. If no injury or other complications are involved, health-care providers often wait to see if a partially collapsed lung will heal on its own without medical intervention. Use pillows to keep your head raised. You might also feel more comfortable by propping some pillows behind your chest.
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Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief. You may need to take over-the-counter pain medication, especially if the discomfort limits your movements. Cough frequently to help re-expand the lung and prevent complications such as pneumonia.
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Check your temperature. Call your doctor if it rises above 101.5 degrees F or if any of your other symptoms worsen.
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Perform deep-breathing exercises to help strengthen the muscles responsible for inflating and deflating the lungs. Inhale as deeply as you can, and then hold your breath for 10 seconds before exhaling. You can also use an instrument called an incentive spirometer, in which case you breathe in deeply through a tube attached to a plastic chamber. A ball inside the chamber lifts with each breath. Repeat the exercise 5 to 10 times every hour throughout the day.
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Schedule an appointment with your doctor for a follow up exam and X-rays. Although your symptoms may improve, you want to be sure that the lung has healed completely in order to avoid complications later on.
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Tips & Warnings
Prevent future recurrences of spontaneous pneumothorax (lung) by not smoking.
Symptoms of a collapsed lung can include sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, rapid heartbeat and low blood pressure. Risk factors for lung collapse include gender, age, smoking, lung disease or a previous history of lung collapse.
