Atelectasis

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Atelectasis

Atelectasis (pronounced: at-uh-LEK-tuh-sis) is a medical condition that involves the partial or complete collapse of an entire lung or a portion of a lung. It is a common complication after surgery or in patients with lung diseases.

Etymology

The term "atelectasis" is derived from the Greek words "ateles" and "ektasis," which mean "incomplete" and "expansion," respectively.

Definition

Atelectasis is a condition characterized by the collapse or closure of a lung resulting in reduced or absent gas exchange. It may affect part or all of a lung. It is usually a symptom of other diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and lung cancer.

Symptoms

Symptoms of atelectasis may include difficulty breathing, coughing, chest pain, and fever. However, some people with atelectasis may not experience any noticeable symptoms, especially if the condition is mild or only affects a small area of the lung.

Causes

Atelectasis can be caused by a blockage of the air passages (bronchus or bronchioles) or by pressure on the outside of the lung. Risk factors include anesthesia, foreign objects in the airway, respiratory disease, and tumors.

Treatment

Treatment for atelectasis depends on the cause and severity of the lung collapse. It may include procedures to remove airway obstructions, physiotherapy to help re-expand the lung, or surgery in severe cases.

Related Terms

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski