Atelectasis is more common than you would think and is not something to worry about under normal circumstances as it is happens naturally every time you exhale; however, it can also be cause for concern when it is caused by anesthesia, blockage of the airway, lung disease, pressure on the lungs and tumors.

There are two main types of Atelectasis, acute and chronic; acute Atelectasis is the common result of an operation or injury; particularly operations or accidents that affect the chest and abdominal area. Acute Atelectasis may be characterized by the complete and uniform collapse of most alveoli in one or more sections of the lungs or it may be that the collapsed alveoli and the degree to which they have collapsed varies from section to section.

Chronic Atelectasis may be one of two types, rounded Atelectasis or middle lobe syndrome; with rounded Atelectasis (also called folded lung syndrome) a portion of the lung collapse and ‘folds over’ resulting in a rounded appearance when x-rayed. Rounded Atelectasis is a result of problems with the pleura usually caused by asbestos exposure but it may also be caused by other types of problems with the pleura.

With middle lobe syndrome the middle lobe of the right lung contracts and becomes blocked, usually caused by pressure on the bronchus but it may also be caused by a tumor. If left unresolved the affected lung may develop pneumonia, chronic inflammation or bronchial problems.

Symptoms of Atelectasis may include minor coughing, chest pains, breathing difficulty, pleural effusion – excess liquid in the pleural cavity, cyanosis – a blue coloration of the skin caused by the lack of oxygen, or an increased heart rate caused by the heart working extra hard to provide the body with the oxygen it needs.

Treatment for Atelectasis will be aimed at correcting the underlying cause of the problem and re-expanding the collapsed alveoli. If fluid is the cause of the collapse, removing the fluid may result in re-expanding the lungs.

Acute Atelectasis is often treated by physiotherapy and deep breathing exercises; walking is also highly encouraged if at all possible as it increases circulation and the heart rate. Mechanical breathing devices such as a ventilator may be used in cases where a person suffers from chest deformities.

Chronic Atelectasis is primarily treated with antibiotics as infections are most often the main cause of the problem; it may also be helpful to turn the person onto their healthy side so the collapsed lung is able to re-expand but sometimes surgery must be performed to remove the affected part of the lung in cases where chronic or recurring infections are an issue or there is significant bleeding. If it is a tumor that is causing the blockage it will have to be removed.