Pneumothorax Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

If you experience any of the symptoms listed below, do not assume it is due to pneumothorax. These symptoms are often caused by other, less serious health conditions. If you experience any of them, see your physician.

Symptoms of pneumothorax may occur while you are awake or while you are asleep. They can include:

• Sudden, sharp pain in the chest that becomes worse during coughing or taking deep breaths
• Acute shortness of breath
• Fever (mild)
• Fatigue
• Tightness in the chest
• Rapid heartbeat
• Bluish color of the skin due to a lack of oxygen
• Flaring of the nostrils
• Feelings of anxiety , stress, and tension
• Hypotension, or low blood pressure
• A distended abdomen

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. He or she may notice that the affected side of your chest has reduced or absent breath sounds during the stethoscope examination. Other tests may be performed, such as:

• Chest x-ray —may be performed to determine if there is air outside the lung.
• CT scan —may be performed instead.
• Ultrasound —an alternative option for those who can’t be moved, commonly used in trauma cases.
• EKG—reads electrical activity in the heart.
• Pulse oximetry—noninvasive way to measure your oxygen status.

Since the development of pneumothorax can be delayed in the case of traumatic pneumothorax, repeating x-rays the day after the injury may be needed.