Differences Between Pneumothorax And Hemothorax

Pneumothorax vs Hemothorax

There are many lung diseases in the medical world. A couple examples are pneumothorax and hemothorax. These diseases have gained popularity because of an increasing number of patients. Pneumothorax and hemothorax are the results that may occur after an injury in the chest such as a stab wound, or even a gunshot. These circumstances may cause collapsed lungs. After the lungs are collapsed, they can no longer work well. They may need some treatment that could take up to a few days or even a few weeks. Pneumothorax and hemothorax have significant differences compared to each other. Although both of them can have the same results, they don’t have the same cause. The sure thing is, both of them can be treated well in the right procedures.

What is a pneumothorax?

Pneumothorax is a condition wherein the air from the lungs could leak out to the chest walls and spaces between the lungs. This is usually caused by a chest injury, which could have some complications. Rarely, it can also occur without a significant cause. People who have this kind of condition may experience some sudden severe chest pains and even shortness of breath. The typical targets for this condition are tall, thin people and the smokers. Usually, small pneumothorax or uncomplicated pneumothorax can easily heal itself without intervention from outside factors. But for more serious pneumothorax, aid from specialists would be needed. It can be treated by inserting a tube into the space where the leaking out air is located and removing it from there.

What is a hemothorax?

Hemothorax is a condition wherein a certain amount of blood is trapped between the pleural cavity between the lungs and the chest walls. This is usually caused by a chest trauma, a blood clotting defect or chest injuries. Sometimes, it can be a symptom of a much more complicated disease just like a lung cancer. Similar to pneumothorax, people with hemothorax can also experience shortness of breath, severe chest pains and even weakness. The best to treat hemothorax is to remove the trapped blood from the pleural cavity through an inserted tube. Sometimes the bleeding won’t stop so a surgery called thoracotomy should be done to control it.

Comparing Pneumothorax and Hemothorax

Although pneumothorax and hemothorax are essentially symptoms of a lung disease, both of them serve a different purpose. Pneumothorax, being not as complicated a condition, can serve as a precaution in having a healthy and active lifestyle and not smoking. Hemothorax, being a much more complicated disease, needs to be given more attention. Even if hemothorax can be treated well, it is very sad to know that it can lead to a much more complicated disease. If you are a patient experiencing pneumothorax, you may not feel very worried compared to a patient with hemothorax.

Summary:

1. Pneumothorax and hemothorax are results that may occur after an injury in the chest such as a stab wound, or even a gunshot.

2. Pneumothorax is a condition wherein the air from the lungs could leak out to the chest walls and spaces between the lungs. This is usually caused by a chest injury, which could have some complications. Rarely, it can also occur without a significant cause.

3. Hemothorax is a condition wherein a certain amount of blood is trapped between the pleural cavity of the lungs and the chest walls. This is usually caused by a chest trauma, a blood clotting defect or chest injuries.

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