Atelectasis – Causes and Prevention
Atelectasis is a lung disorder in which a part or the entire lung collapses. The collapsed lung tissues are unable to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. Acute atelectasis develops suddenly, whereas chronic atelectasis develops gradually. Atelectasis is a life threatening condition.
The lung disorder might not be fatal if a small part of the lung is affected by it. The unaffected part of the lung could continue to perform the normal respiratory function. However, if a large area of the lung or the entire lung collapses, or if the person has an underlying respiratory illness, atelectasis could cause severe complications and even death.
Causes of atelectasis
If a foreign particle is stuck in the airway for a prolonged period, atelectasis could occur. This is common among children who might swallow some foreign particle. In babies and toddlers, the airway might be plugged by mucus, which might collapse the lung. Tumor present in the airway could obstruct air from circulating in the airway, causing atelectasis. Shallow breathing, usually caused by a lung disease or bed rest in the same position for a long period, increases the risk of atelectasis.
General anesthesia during surgeries cause shallow breathing, which increases the risk of lung collapse. Shallow breathing can develop due to chest injuries and rib fracture. Atelectasis can develop from a congenital disorder. In this disorder, the surfactant or protein associated with the elasticity of the lungs is absent. Atelectasis could even develop in newborns if the lungs could not expand normally after birth. Several factors are responsible for atelectasis in newborns after delivery. Premature birth, use of excess anesthesia during delivery, poor nervous stimulus or mucus blockage in the bronchus might collapse the lungs in newborns after birth.
Atelectasis symptoms
Atelectasis causes shortness of breath, cough and chest pain.
Atelectasis prevention and treatment
If children accidentally swallow small objects, atelectasis might develop. To prevent this condition in children, keep small objects away from children. People confined to bed for a prolonged period should maintain deep breathing. Their position on the bed should be changed frequently. Deep breathing should be maintained after surgeries involving anesthesia. Treatment of atelectasis involves removal of the obstruction in the airway through bronchoscopy, suctioning or surgery.
