Patient's question:
These past few days, I've always felt like I can't catch my breath. My colleague said it might be a bulla or pneumothorax. What's the difference between a bulla and pneumothorax?Doctor's answer:
Pneumothorax is usually asymptomatic under normal circumstances. During severe coughing or chest strain, if a pneumothorax leads to the rupture of a bulla, it may result in a recurrent pneumothorax. A recurrent pneumothorax can cause difficulty breathing. Pneumothorax is typically an emergency and it is best to promptly visit a hospital for an X-ray to thoroughly examine and diagnose the condition. If it is a pneumothorax, timely thoracentesis should be performed to drain the fluid, as prolonged delay may lead to lung tissue necrosis.