Atelectasis
Atelectasis (pronounced at-uh-LEK-tuh-sis) happens when the tiny air sacs or alveoli in your lungs are blocked, and it causes a partial or full collapse of one or more lobes or sections of the lungs.
Atelectasis is more common in people who had recent surgery under general anesthesia. Anesthesia, a medication that puts you to sleep during surgery, may affect your ability to breathe deeply or cough effectively to remove the mucus that builds up in your airways. Other causes may include
- A small object blocking the airways (like food or toy)
- Mucus plugs (buildup of mucus in the airway)
- Tumor (which blocks the airway)
- Pleural effusion (fluid between the chest wall and lungs)
- Prolonged bed rest
- Pre-existing lung condition
- Lung infection like pneumonia
Signs and symptoms of atelectasis often depend on the severity of the collapse. Some people may have a mild form and do not experience symptoms. If atelectasis affects a larger part of your lungs, you are more likely to experience symptoms. Symptoms associated with atelectasis include shortness of breath, cough that may bring up mucus, wheezing, chest pain, or low oxygen levels.
Atelectasis can be diagnosed with a chest x-ray. To find the severity or type of atelectasis, your provider may recommend other diagnostic tests or procedures. A CT scan can also help get a better picture of the lungs. A bronchoscopy is a technique used if there is a suspected blockage or obstruction in the airway. It can be used to look inside the lungs and may be able to remove the blockage. An arterial blood gas test can check the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
The goal of treatment is to relieve or remove the blockage in the airways and re-inflate the lungs. Mild forms of atelectasis may not require any treatment. If mucus build up is the cause, you may use medication to open your airways, an incentive spirometer, and techniques to loosen the mucus in the airways (chest percussion, assisted cough, etc). An incentive spirometer is a medical device often given after surgery and may help prevent lung infections and clear mucus from the lungs.
If an object is causing the blockage, it must be removed. Your healthcare provider will discuss treatment options if atelectasis is caused by a tumor, an aspirated foreign body, or other chronic lung conditions. Serious complications may occur if atelectasis remains untreated. Complications can include low oxygen levels, pneumonia, or lung failure.
Many cases clear up in 24-48 hours, however more severe cases may take longer to resolve. Talk with your healthcare provider about how long to continue using any medications or mucus clearance techniques. Keep any follow-up appointments to monitor your health condition. If a tumor is causing atelectasis or you have an underlying lung condition, discuss with your provider ways to manage and treat the condition.
