MamasHealth.com Home Lung Diseases and Illnesses ARDS Asbestosis Asthma Black Lung Disease Bronchiectasis Bronchitis Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Brown Lung Disease Chronic Beryllium Control Asthma COPD Cystic Fibrosis Emphysema Farmer's Lung Histoplasmosis Kartagener's Syndrome Lung Cancer Partial Lung Collapse Pleurisy Pneumothorax Pulmonary Embolism Pulmonary Fibrosis Silicosis Tuberculosis Links Email Mama Prevent CO poisoning A child's personal story about their battle with asthma Health benefits of sex Sign up for the MamasHealth Newsletter	Partial Lung Collapse What is a Partial Lung Collapse A partial lung collapse is the collapse of part or all of a lung by blockage of the air passages, or by very shallow breathing. In an adult, small regions of partial lung collapse are usually not life-threatening, because unaffected parts of the lung compensate for the loss of function in the affected area. However, large-scale partial lung collapse, especially in someone who has another lung disease or illness may be life-threatening. In a baby or small child, lung collapse due to a mucus obstruction or other causes can be life-threatening. Massive partial lung collapse may result in the collapse of a lung. A partial lung collapse is also called atelectasis. What Causes a Partial Lung Collapse? Some of the common causes of a partial lung collapse are: anesthesia, prolonged bed rest with few changes in position, shallow breathing, and underlying lung diseases. Secretions that plug the airway, foreign objects (common in children) in the airway, and tumors that obstruct the airway may also cause a partial lung collapse. Symptoms of a Partial Lung Collapse? Some common symptoms of a partial lung collapse are: Breathing difficulty Chest pain Cough Can a Partial Lung Collapse be Treated? Yes. The goal of treatment is to remove lung secretions and re-expand the affected lung tissue. Some common treatment options are: Aerosolized respiratory treatments Positioning on the unaffected side to allow re-expansion of lung Removal of the obstruction Deep breathing exercises Percussion of the chest to loosen secretions Positioning so that secretions drain by gravity where they can be coughed up Treatment of tumor or underlying condition Complicatons of a Partial Lung Collapse? In some cases, pneumonia may develop.	Featured Book
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