ELI5: hemothorax
// explanation
What is a hemothorax?
A hemothorax is when blood collects in the space between your lung and your chest wall, like spilling juice inside a plastic bag [1][2]. Normally this space is empty or has just a tiny bit of fluid to help your lung move smoothly when you breathe [1].
Why does it happen?
A hemothorax usually happens after a bad injury to your chest, like from a car crash or a fall that breaks ribs or damages blood vessels [1][5]. When these blood vessels get torn, blood leaks out into that empty space instead of staying in your bloodstream [2].
What does it feel like?
It feels hard to breathe and your chest hurts, kind of like when someone gives you a really tight hug and you can't take a full breath [3]. You might also feel dizzy or weak because your body is losing blood [1].
How do you fix it?
Doctors put a tube into your chest to drain the blood out, similar to using a straw to suck juice out of a bag [1][3]. Sometimes they need to do surgery if there's a lot of blood or if it keeps coming back [4].
// sources
Hemothorax is a frequent consequence of traumatic thoracic injuries. It is a collection of blood in the pleural space, a potential space between the visceral ...
Jul 12, 2024 ... Hemothorax is a collection of blood in the space between the chest wall and the lung (the pleural cavity).
Aug 13, 2023 ... Hemothorax is a condition in which you have blood in your pleural space. It usually causes symptoms that affect your chest and breathing.
Background: The natural history and optimal management of retained hemothorax (RH) after chest tube placement is unknown. The intent of our study was to ...
Hemothorax is a collection of blood in the pleural cavity usually from traumatic injury. Chest X-ray has historically been the imaging modality of choice.
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