Living with a collapsed lung can be a very difficult thing from the get-go. Just imagine living with only one fully functional lung, instead of two. The physical toll of such a condition is immense.
However, you will rarely come across an article or piece of content that discusses the mental toll. Any form of disease that permanently alters the function and structure of your body can be a difficult pill to swallow.
This condition is no different. In this article, we will discuss the mental toll that pneumothorax may have on an individual.
Understanding Pneumothorax
Although our primary concern is to understand the mental taxation of pneumothorax, we would still like to take you through the basics. So, what is pneumothorax? It is a condition that can most simply be explained as lung collapse. The lung may collapse when air becomes trapped between your chest and the lining that holds your lungs, or the pleural space. This air can build up in your pleural space over time and cause a complete collapse of your lungs.
The lung may collapse when air becomes trapped between your chest and the lining that holds your lungs, or the pleural space. This air can build up in your pleural space over time and cause a complete collapse of your lungs.
This is why it is popularly called the ‘punctured lung’ syndrome by the general public. The severity of the disease requires people to quit smoking ASAP. Therefore, that is another can of worms that you need to understand.
Types of Pneumothorax
There are two different types of Pneumothorax. The first is called the spontaneous pneumothorax, and the second is called the traumatic pneumothorax.
Sponteneous
Spontaneous pneumothorax occurs when a lung collapses without any external signs of injury. These can be further divided into two different classes:
Primary: This condition is not caused by any underlying conditions, but rather occurs when abnormal air pockets, known as blebs, break apart and release the air.
Secondary: This is caused by an underlying lung disease that causes inflammation and abnormal filling of the pleural space in your chest.
Traumatic
As the name suggests, this is generally caused by a traumatic injury. This can be again divided into two types:
Injury Related: This is when your chest cavity has been breached due to an accident or violence.
Latrogenic: This is when your chest cavity gets punctured due to a botched lung surgery or something equivalent.
Miscelleneous
Apart from the two types we have mentioned, another class falls under the miscellaneous section. Which can be further divided into the following:
Tension pneumothorax: This occurs when air becomes trapped in the lungs but cannot escape. This is caused when air pressure builds up in your chest with no outlet.
Catamenial pneumothorax: This is a rare condition that typically occurs in individuals with endometriosis.
Common Mental Health Problems Of Pneumothorax
Apart from the usuals like chest pain, the problem of pneumothorax brings in mental health issues as well. Although they are not often discussed, they are real, and we have chosen to bring them to the forefront.
Heightened Anxiety
To learn that one of your lungs has collapsed is not news anybody would receive with open arms. The obvious reaction to this news would be anxiety. In some cases, the news of pneumothorax can be received with heavy anxiety, where people start spiraling out of control.
Changes In Social Dynamics
The news of a terminal or chronic illness is often received with a sense of social isolation. The person who generally suffers from these problems tends to recede into isolation. Therefore, individuals dealing with these issues should find ways to socialize.
Exacerbation Of Existing Ailment
Another big problem that many people need to understand is that news like this often leads to exacerbated or heightened mental illness. In other words, the situation becomes more amplified and dangerous. Therefore, the only way to cope is to understand this problem and work around it accordingly.
The Final Thought
In the end, the best way to cope with the mental taxation of pneumothorax is to understand the ailment. The next thing that you have to do is to quit smoking or anything that can make the problem bigger.
All in all, you need to understand the problem you are facing and consider taking a therapy session. Other than that, be positive and take on life head-on.
