Prevention & Recovery Period of Collapsed Lung or Pneumothorax

Two significant aspects that medical practitioners should instruct the collapsed lung or pneumothorax patients are to avoid travel by air/travel to distant areas and prohibit smoking. They should also advise the patient to put on security belts whilst driving. Other tips to prevent the recurrence of collapsed lung or pneumothorax:

• Till complete resolution as shown of radiography, patients must not make air trip or journey to any distant site. Even though cabin pressurization of air travel attains smallest changes in gas amount, unplanned collapsed lung or pneumothorax may arise in commercial trip.
• Patients with earlier record of collapsed lung or pneumothorax are prone to be the brink of reappearance of the problem. Therefore, these patients are forbidden to dive till Pleurodesis or Thoracotomy is performed. Ascending from the depth of sea diving leads to expansion of gases. This situation causes collapsed lung or pneumothorax with blebs and bullae.
• Giving up smoking is strictly recommended for every patient. They should be evaluated in the parameter of willingness to give up, and awareness about giving up smoking. They should be offered with pharmacotherapy provided they are prepared to give up. The patients who are ready to accept cessation of smoking are offered recommendation for the cessation management. This management comprises of the replacement of nicotine and non-nicotine pharmacotherapy, for example, varenicline or bupropion.

Smoking raises the possibility of blebs and recurrence irrespective of primary or secondary collapsed lung (CL) or pneumothorax. It is done in an expected and measured mode. Virtual possibility of bleb rupture and reappearance increases up to part of 20.

The causes of a collapsed lung or pneumothorax determine how well you perform after having the attack. If collapsed lung or pneumothorax attack you, it is more likely to be attacked more in the future.

• If you are underweight and tall.
• If you keep on smoking.
• If you have a past record of two collapsed lung or pneumothorax.

As a rule, immediate attention to the problem of collapsed lung or pneumothorax brings complete recovery. Though in acute cases, delayed treatment may produce respiratory or circulatory failure. Holding up emergency surgery might lead to longer revival and accompanied by riskier consequences. The latest surgery techniques use tiny cameras, called Thoracoscopy, results smaller wound of chest and earlier recovery period/healing time for collapsed lung or pneumothorax.

Breathing trouble and exhaustion are some of the symptoms that many people go through in the arousal of collapsed lung or pneumothorax. During this time, bed rest is highly recommended.

• Before returning to normal activities, a month long bed rest may be required. Make adjustment to your boss if doable; try to take a break from work.
• It needs one to two weeks for full recovery of the ailment. So, it is necessary to plan the time frame before you lay up.
• Do not resume regular activities too early because it may activate another fall down. Before you resume normal activities make sure about your normal breathing and there is no pain.

Also Read:

• What Is a Collapsed Lung or Pneumothorax: Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Types
• Treatment & Exercises for Collapsed Lung or Pneumothorax