Pneumothorax: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate pneumothorax:

Symptoms of pneumothorax:

  • Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
  • Dry cough
  • Sharp pain in the thorax (chest), may also radiate to the abdomen (abdomen) and/or shoulder; later, with stable pneumothorax, only dull pressure

Symptoms of tension pneumothorax:

  • Tachycardia – heartbeat too fast: > 100 beats per minute.
  • Tachypnea – breathing too fast.
  • Hypotension – low blood pressure; further leads to increasing circulatory instability.
  • Central cyanosis – bluish discoloration of skin and central mucous membranes/tongue.
  • Bulging neck veins
  • Asymmetric respiratory movements of the chest

However, a pneumothorax can also remain asymptomatic, that is, without obvious symptoms. A tension pneumothorax, on the other hand, is an acute life-threatening situation that requires immediate action.