Atelectasis of the lung is a disease characterized by a decay or incomplete expansion of the lung or its part. The alveoli subside due to lack of or lack of air and ventilation, the walls of the lung converge and contract.
What triggers the disease in adults?
Atelectasis of the lung happens:
- primary;
- secondary.
Primary occurs in newborns, when at birth their lungs did not open. Secondary is only in adults. This pathology does not arise by itself. If lung atelectasis occurs, the cause can always be determined. The problem may arise due to an increase in lymph nodes, the appearance of a tumor or a mucous plug. As a rule, the disease is provoked by a blockage of the bronchus or its bad obstruction. Atelectasis can develop either gradually or suddenly, which threatens the onset of infection, fibrosis or destruction in the affected area. Also atelectasis sometimes develops after surgery on the chest or abdominal cavity or with mechanical damage to the lung.
How to diagnose atelectasis?
For timely diagnosis, it is important to identify atelectasis of the lung in time, the symptoms of which will make themselves felt. The patient can be observed:
- bluish skin tone;
- dyspnea;
- low pressure;
- chest pain;
- rapid pulse.
If you notice at least two of the above symptoms, then it's time to see a doctor. At least to make sure that you are healthy. The therapist, after listening to you and having studied the anamnesis, will conduct a general examination and listen to the lungs. To more accurately determine atelectasis of the lung, an X-ray will be needed. Also, a doctor can refer you to a tomography and to a consultation with a narrow specialist - a pulmonologist.
What types of atelectasis can occur in an adult?
In addition to the secondary atelectasis, of which we have already spoken, other subspecies of the disease may also arise.
Diskovidny atelectasis of the lung
It can develop after a fracture of the ribs or contusion of the chest. It can also cause restriction of chest movement during breathing (to avoid pain, for example). In the worst case, this kind of atelectasis is accompanied by post-traumatic pneumonia, although modern medications exclude it.
Compression lung atelectasis
Another type of disease, which develops due to the fact that fluid accumulates in the pleural cavity. In addition to the usual symptoms, the patient suffers coughing, half of the chest with the affected lung increases and lags behind during breathing.
Atelectasis of the middle lobe of the right lung
This kind - the syndrome of the middle lobe - deserves special attention. It can be caused by whooping cough, measles, tuberculosis or tumors. This disease is the most common due to the fact that the mid-lobar bronchus is the longest and narrowest, and this makes it most vulnerable to blockage. When the patient coughs, sputum is excreted, and the temperature rises and rales appear.
How to treat atelectasis?
For patients with lung atelectasis, treatment should be performed in a hospital. The first step is bed rest. And then the correct position of the body is important: you need to lie on a healthy side.
One of the most effective methods of treatment is bronchoscopy. It is also possible to withdraw sputum through a catheter or by
The best way to fight atelectasis is to prevent it. Necessary:
- Completely eliminate smoking.
- Do not allow liquids and foreign bodies to aspirate.
- Do not abuse analgesics.
- Perform respiratory gymnastics.
- More to move, especially after the operation.