What Causes Spontaneous Pneumothorax?

Posted on Fri, 9 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 9 Dec 2016 Answered on

Fri, 30 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I see a lot of questions being answered here about spontaneous pneumothorax, but my case is different. I am a 30 year old female, I never smoked and consider my lungs pretty healthy. I had a pneumothorax 3 weeks ago due to one (or more) acupuncture needles, it was a small one, with left lung collapse of 30%. 17 days later, the X-Ray showed my left lung is normal again, although I still feel a bit of tightness, and I rather avoid speaking for long periods of time since it makes me tired and hurts a bit. Is this normal to still feel a bit of pain, right? (My breathing is normal though). My 2nd question is, a recurrence in this case is less common than if I have had an spontaneous pneumothorax due to disease or other reason, is this also correct? Thanks in advance!

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are right on both counts.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear,

Thanks for posting your query on HCM.

Yes feeling of slight pain or discomfort in the chest is even now after a bout of pneumothorax is quite normal. You need not be worried. It will pass in due course of time. You may do some deep breathing exercise should help which will help.

Yes you are right- You have almost zero probability of recurrence as compared to those with diseased lungs. So just relax and enjoy.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T