Pneumothorax

This video contains an explanation of pneumothorax, aimed at helping medical students and healthcare professionals prepare for exams. We discuss the causes, presentation, features, investigations and management of pneumothorax.

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DISCLAIMER: This video is for education and entertainment only, and is not medical advice. This video should NOT be used for medical advice or to guide clinical practice. The Zero to Finals content should not be used in any way to guide medical decision making. Zero to Finals takes no responsibility for any actions taken or not taken based on the information provided. Local and national guidelines and senior clinicians are there to help you make decisions, not YouTube videos. If you need medical advice or information, seek it from an appropriately trained and licenced doctor or healthcare provider that can address your individual needs. Zero to Finals cannot guarantee the accuracy of information in this video. Please highlight any errors you notice in the comments below - thank you.

[harrietweathervane]

nursing student here - i've always had trouble understanding this and now it's crystal clear, especially paired with the notes on your website. thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

[Brian]

I’ve had numerous pneumothorax’s, one tension pneumothorax and two spontaneous, I am currently in hospital with my 3rd in under 3 years, had chemical pleurodises done on my right lung after a lung collapse, and have had two left sided collapsed lungs, and had Vats surgery done on my left lung a few days ago, they reckon it’s due to being tall and thin and being a young male in my 20’s, it’s a pretty painful experience to go through multiple times but it’s made me a stronger person For it, god bless you all.

[punchline]

My chest filling up like a balloon. Felt my ear drums tightening. Upper arms neck and chest expanding till couldn't anyone. I knew one more breath 🫁 and Im dead. My heart started beating faster and faster. I was about to pop. This happened at 11:09 this morning. I cried for Jesus Christ. It slowly went back to normal. I almost died today.

[silentslaughter]

I love videos like these because it makes me happy to know that im not the only one who struggles with it.

Ive struggled with spontaneous pneumothorax since i was 12. It was never diagnosed until i was 18 when my left lung fully collapsed. Im an average-height female but i do possess a thinner figure, so ig i sorta met the criteria lol. Ive had the chest tube in (that hurt lmao) and a thorascopy since then. The thorascopy was done in hopes of removing my blebs and having the area stapled up, however they grew back so my dr is suggesting a pleurectomy. The goal with this surgery is to remove some of my plura and have my lung fuse to my chest wall so my lung can no longer collapse. Its a fairly invasive surgery and does have its cons but my lungs only hobby is to collapse every month so any possible sign of relief is favourable.

Thanks for listening to my story! My heart goes out to anyone who is struggling or has battled this inconvenient illness, it really can be a pain to deal with. Feel free to share your thoughts as well!

[angelicamondragon]

Respiratory Therapy Student here, thank you so much for this explanation. I will be having my patient education regarding in this topic. It would help me a lot!!!

[tgzmrhat]

I love these videos they are helping me get through the nurse practitioner program so thank you

[burzane]

Thanks, nice video.
Got it 5 times. 3 of them healed in 3-4 days of horrible pain. 4th one with a bottle of whiskey to pass out. 5th one called the ambulance and fixed with the air pump thru the ribs. On 5th one I found my diagnosis, after 15 years from the first occurrence.

[AneilSharma]

Great video. Clear, concise and explained in a manner easy to follow and digest. Thank you!

[reynoldcracker]

I really hate pneumothorax, I had that happened to me spontaneously which chances are like 1 out of 10, 000 in men of happenings and I was so unlucky I had to go through surgery just a few days ago. The hole wasn't small either, they told me I would probably die or get the surgery done to survive ASAP. It shows how delicate we are and we need to take care of ourselves. The surgery was really painful and I suffer but at the end I survived and I am still recovering from it.

[MrFlyingsquirrel]

(for anyone with concerns) Had bilateral pneumothorax 2 months ago, was in for 3 weeks with drains either side (nurses called them handbags since they were connected to 2 small hand carry pumps 🤣) I smoked wayyy too much weed before hand (bonging 😩) noticed pain on 3rd of November and went in some time around January, I'm tall and slim and I used to sit down all day (for anyone wanting data lol) and since quitting smoking I've felt so much better, spirometer/airlife thing is up to 4000ml per breath 😄 can definitely heal from collapsed lungs or a collapsed lung. Eat loads of protein to aid in healing if you have wounds still and don't smoke! (Granted Ive had one or two which is significantly less than I would have had and notice pain starting again, if you're reading this trying to find an excuse to smoke again, just don't, it's not worth it😄 your life is worth more) oh and the pain was very much located right under my collar bones but I assume it would be different for everyone, furthermore rib pain persists for a while and it can be hard to distinguish sharp stabbing pain associated with recurrence and rib pain, if anyone reading this is going through It rn I could use a buddy to chat it all out with too lol

[thatgooglegirlomolola]

I was taught in class today. I came to YouTube to add knowledge. Thank you for uploading 🇳🇬🤍

[dailydoseofmedicinee]

A tension pneumothorax can cause complete collapse of the nearby lung and can push the heart and major blood vessels to the other side of the chest. This is a life-threatening emergency. Tension pneumothorax most commonly occurs in people with penetrating chest injuries.👍

[FortexVize]

I had a spontaneous pneumothorax when I was 17. I was eating dinner, coughed a little and didn't think much of my chest pain shortly afterward. Especially because I was used to having a little chest pain from when I was younger and had croup (a lot).

Long story short I went to bed and woke up early in the morning with strong pain and difficulty to breath. I told my mother. Luckily we were living 100 meters away from hospital (as I was already walking very slowly my mother drove me as far as possible and we went to the emergency room.) Thank god the doctor had a bad feeling and rushed me (already with an oxygen mask) to the x-ray Machine). At this point I had terrific pain and significant issues with breathing. I was crying non-stop but got treated with oxygen for around 6 days. Thankfully my pneumothorax was treatable with oxygen as I didn't have one before and I hope it stays like this!!


This was a great video showing the important facts and what to watch out for when dealing with chest pain and breathing issues especially when dealing with a young man.

[matthewa]

Thanks. Getting my chest tube taken out today. Wish me luck.

[veronicahenningsson]

TYSM for this video! super helpful, clear and easy to understand...love it!

[vashappeningkevin]

Igcse student here. This helped me alot. Thanks 😊

[tavishg]

Great jus love your videos..simple easy to understand. God bless u- all the way from south africa

[demonasl]

Unluckly. Right now writing down this comment I am in hospital with Pneumothorax. So I can tell it's really painful chest pain and hard to breath.. Right now it's 11th day while i'm here.. Hopefully everything will be okay.

[mindvada]

had dozens of pneumothorax had surgerys where they glued my lung so it sticks to the wall, at first it was really treating and i was always afraid but these days its more like a flu, ill noticed most of the time it happens is because its really cold outside its easier to get one, or if i go into a bar where its allowed to smoke. Smoking is the reason number one why i get them stop smoking and u will be fine. I was (19 when i got my first one, now im 23 everything will he alright trust me :)

[Maria-qf]

I am watching this video because of my idol called Rami. she is an kpop idol and currently she is having this problem😢