What is the difference between Pneumothorax and Atelectasis?

Pneumothorax and Atelectasis are medical conditions of people with a collapsed lung. The difference between these words is how extensive the collapse of the lungs is. Pneumothorax is a total collapse of the lungs, while Atelectasis is when a part of the lungs collapse.

Atelectasis is caused by a blocked airway or pressure on the outside of the lungs; common causes include a foreign object in the airway, tumor, Mucus plug, lung disease, infection, fluid buildup, or air build up around the lungs.

Pneumothorax is caused by air from the lung filling the surroundings of the lungs causes include a car accident, fall, stab wound, gunshot, surgical injury. The symptoms include trouble breathing, sharp chest pain: rapid breathing, or increased heart rate.

Both Pneumothorax and Atelectasis can be used to describe a lung that has been collapsed lung. The difference between the two words is the extensiveness of how collapsed the lung is. Pneumothorax is when the lungs are totally collapsed. Atelectasis is used to describe a lung where only part of it is collapsed. In any case of a collapsed lung, it is necessary to have it addressed as soon as possible.

When a person has a collapsed lung, it makes it difficult for a person to breathe, and it could lead to threatening a person's life. There is a treatment available for both pneumothorax and atelectasis, which can remove air from the chest.

One thing that you should realize is that these two terms are normally used to describe a collapsed lung. How bad the collapse is can be determined by the term that will be used. If you say pneumothorax, this means that there is a total collapse of the lungs.

When there is only a part of the lung that has collapsed, this will be called atelectasis. It is important that a collapsed lung will be addressed immediately because a person will be unable to breathe if the lungs are not functioning normally.

There are some occasions wherein having a collapsed lung can mean that it is life-threatening. Usually, a person who is suffering from any of the two conditions would need immediate treatment to remove the excess air on the chest area.