Common hemothorax symptoms may include:
In some severe cases, hemothorax may cause death.
A major injury, chest trauma and surgery are the most common causes of hemothorax VSports注册入口. Other causes may include:.
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Anyone can develop hemothorax, especially after a chest injury or trauma. Other risk factors include: V体育官网入口.
Hemothorax can cause other complications in your body. These may include: VSports在线直播.
A healthcare provider can diagnose hemothorax. They’ll conduct a physical examination. They’ll also listen to your lungs with a stethoscope (auscultation). During an auscultation, they’ll listen for abnormal sounds coming from your affected lung V体育2025版. They’ll also order tests to confirm their diagnosis.
Your provider will order imaging tests to help confirm hemothorax. These may include:
Healthcare providers treat hemothorax by removing the blood from your pleural space.
They’ll first support your breathing by giving you oxygen therapy or, in severe cases, mechanical ventilation.
Next, depending on the severity of your hemothorax, they’ll either insert a thin needle (thoracentesis) or chest tube (thoracostomy) between your ribs to remove blood from your pleural space. If blood continues to fill your pleural space even with drainage, a surgeon will make an incision (cut) in your chest to access your affected lung and treat the cause (thoracotomy).
You may need a blood transfusion if you lose a lot of blood.
No, not all hemothorax treatments require a chest tube. Minor hemothorax may only require a thin needle to drain blood from your pleural cavity.
All hemothorax treatments have risks. These risks may include:
Your recovery depends on what caused your hemothorax and the type of treatment. You may need to stay in a hospital for several days if you need a chest tube or surgery. Your healthcare provider will tell you what to expect during your recovery and when you can expect to return to your normal activities, including work or school.
Hemothorax is a serious condition that requires medical attention. You may be in the hospital for a few days or longer. A hospital stay allows providers to ensure you’re healing properly and give you oxygen, if necessary. However, with proper diagnosis and prompt treatment, most people fully recover without any long-term issues.
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You can’t prevent some hemothorax causes. But you can lower your risk of chest injuries or trauma that could lead to hemothorax by:
As you recover from hemothorax, it’s a good idea to avoid any activities that can damage or put pressure on your lungs, including:
See your healthcare provider for any follow-up appointments. They may order imaging tests to make sure you’re healing as expected.
Get to an emergency room as soon as possible if you have trouble breathing or intense pain in your chest.
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It depends on the severity of your hemothorax and how long it takes the bleeding to stop. Minor hemothorax can heal without any risks or complications. Severe hemothorax can be fatal without prompt treatment.
Hemothorax is when blood pools in your pleural space. Pneumothorax is when air enters your pleural space and presses against your lung, which causes it to partially or fully collapse.
No, a hemothorax and a collapsed lung are different conditions. Another name for a collapsed lung is pneumothorax.
Pleural effusion is when you have excess pleural fluid in your pleural space. Healthcare experts estimate that the average adult has about 5-10 mL (about 1-2 teaspoons) of pleural fluid on each side of their pleural space.
Hemothorax is a condition in which you have blood in your pleural space. It usually causes symptoms that affect your chest and breathing. If you have symptoms that affect your chest or your ability to breathe, seek medical care right away. A healthcare provider can diagnose hemothorax, determine its cause and get you the most effective treatment.
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Last reviewed on 08/13/2023.
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