Ruptured lung

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A lung tear is an injury to the lungs . This usually leads to a pneumothorax , in which air enters the pleural space , preventing the expansion of one or both lungs.

Signs

A ruptured lung can be recognized by shortness of breath, rapid breathing despite physical rest and pain when breathing. Furthermore, an urge to cough can appear. In divers , which due to a too rapid ascent - able to escape without the expanding due to the falling external pressure air out of the lungs - suffer a lung crack often occurs immediately after the emergence of a characteristic bright, high-pitched cry on.

causes

Pressure surges

With explosions there is pressure blows to the chest, leading with the mouth closed in injury to the lung tissue.

Gluteal cramp

If the expanding air cannot escape from an ascending diver , this leads to an injury to the lung tissue. Since it is not possible to prevent air from escaping by pressing your lips together, glottis is the most common cause. Glottis spasm is triggered when a foreign body comes into contact with the glottis. Mostly it is caused by inhaled water.

Air trapping

Regional overextension of the lungs is triggered by the trapping (trap) of breathing air in an enclosed area of ​​the lungs - usually by narrowing the bronchus during a dive. This is known as air trapping.

consequences

Arterial gas embolism

The most common arterial gas embolism occurs. The air bubbles penetrate the capillaries. Breathing air passes into the pulmonary veins . On their way through the left ventricle, the air bubbles cause embolic occlusions in the end arteries of the spinal cord , the brain or the coronary arteries .

Marginal tear in the lung

The edge of the lung tear leads to an accumulation of air in the chest cavity ( pneumothorax ). Here, the air flows from the injury into the pleural space . As this removes the negative pressure, the lungs collapse. If the injury site does not close spontaneously (as a rule), more air flows into the pleural space with each breath, and a tension pneumothorax develops .

Mediastinal emphysema

If the air is connected to the middle layer of the membrane ( mediastinum , the space between the lungs), it can rise through the loose tissue to the neck. This leads to mediastinal and skin emphysema .

First aid

  • The means of choice is the administration of pure oxygen and medical treatment as soon as possible.
  • In the event of unconsciousness, the usual measures (lying on your side, constant observation while checking your pulse, breathing, blood pressure).
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of respiratory and / or cardiac arrest. Ventilation using pure oxygen.
  • Cold protection