What is atelectasis?
Atelectasis is a complete or partial collapse of the entire lung or area (lobe) of the lung. It occurs when the tiny air sacs (alveoli) within the lung become deflated or possibly filled with alveolar fluid.
Atelectasis is one of the most common breathing (respiratory) complications after surgery.
It's also a possible complication of other respiratory problems, including cystic fibrosis, lung tumors, chest injuries, fluid in the lung and respiratory weakness. You may develop atelectasis if you breathe in a foreign object.
Atelectasis can make breathing difficult, particularly if you already have lung disease.
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the collapse.
Symptoms
There may be no obvious signs or symptoms of atelectasis.
If you do have signs and symptoms, they may include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Wheezing
- Cough
Causes
Atelectasis occurs from a blocked airway (obstructive) or pressure from outside the lung (nonobstructive).
Obstructive atelectasis may be caused by many things, including:
- Mucus plug.
- Foreign body.
- Tumor inside the airway.
Possible causes of nonobstructive atelectasis include:
- Injury.
- Pneumonia.
- Pneumothorax.
- Scarring of lung tissue.
- Tumor.
Risk factors
Factors that make you more likely to develop atelectasis include:
- Older age
- Any condition that makes it difficult to swallow
- Lung disease, such as asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis
- Recent abdominal or chest surgery
- Recent general anesthesia
- Medications that may cause shallow breathing
- Pain or injury that may make it painful to cough or cause shallow breathing, including stomach pain or rib fracture
- Smoking
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atelectasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369684
