ATELECTASIS

Atelectasis  is a complete or partial collapse of the entire lung or area (lobe) of the lung. It occurs when the tiny air sacs (alveoli) within the lung become deflated or possibly filled with alveolar fluid.

Atelectasis is one of the most common breathing (respiratory) complications after surgery. It's also a possible complication of other respiratory problems, including cystic fibrosis, lung tumors, chest injuries, fluid in the lung and respiratory weakness. 

SYMPTOMS OF ATELECTASIS

There may be no obvious signs or symptoms of atelectasis. If you do have signs and symptoms, they may include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Wheezing
• Cough

CAUSES OF ATELECTASIS

Atelectasis occurs from a blocked airway (obstructive) or pressure from outside the lung (nonobstructive).

General anesthesia is a common cause of atelectasis. It changes your regular pattern of breathing and affects the exchange of lung gases, which can cause the air sacs (alveoli) to deflate. Nearly everyone who has major surgery develops some amount of atelectasis. It often occurs after heart bypass surgery.

Obstructive atelectasis may be caused by many things, including:

• Mucus plug
• Foreign body.
• Tumor inside the airway. 

 Possible causes of nonobstructive atelectasis include:

• Chest trauma — from a fall or car accident, for example — can cause you to avoid taking deep breaths (due to the pain), which can result in compression of your lungs.
• Pleural effusion. 
• Pneumonia. 
•  Pneumothorax. 
• Scarring of lung tissue. 
• Tumor. 

RISK FACTORS OF ATELECTASIS

Factors that make you more likely to develop atelectasis include:

• Older age
• Any condition that makes it difficult to swallow
• Confinement to bed with infrequent changes of position
• Lung disease, such as asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis
• Recent abdominal or chest surgery
• Recent general anesthesia
• Weak breathing (respiratory) muscles due to muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury or another neuromuscular condition
• Medications that may cause shallow breathing
• Pain or injury that may make it painful to cough or cause shallow breathing, including stomach pain or rib fracture
• Smoking

COMPLICATIONS OF ATELECTASIS

A small area of atelectasis, especially in an adult, usually is treatable. The following complications may result from atelectasis:

• Low blood oxygen (hypoxemia).Atelectasis makes it more difficult for your lungs to get oxygen to the air sacs (alveoli).
• Your risk for pneumonia continues until the atelectasis goes away. Mucus in a collapsed lung may lead to infection.
• Respiratory failure.Loss of a lobe or a whole lung, particularly in an infant or in someone with lung disease, can be life-threatening.

HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINE FOR ATELECTASIS

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy, but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms

Few homoeopathic medicine can be thought of in the treatment of atelectasis are:

antim tart., hyoscyamus.