Atelectasis Chest X-Ray for Workers: Causes & Treatment
Potentially Suffering from Atelectasis?
Need an Occupational Health Chest X-Ray?
Visit Our Page on Pulmonary Function Testing
If you are reading this, then you or someone you care about has a physically demanding job. It might be as a firefighter, roofer, or industry worker at a chemical plant. The nature of the work demands strenuous hours on your feet, day after day. And that sh*t can get tiring.
On the one hand, fatigue isn't a bad thing. It's a signal from your body that you pushed yourself to the limit and your muscles have been tested and strengthened. All you need to rest and recuperate before you get back out there.
But what happens when you CROSS that limit?
YOU COLLAPSE.
You body, utterly exhausted, can't go any longer, and you crumple into a heap.
Well, our LUNGS can get so exhausted they collapse too.
It's known as atelectasis. It is a lung condition, and it can REALLY come out of no where and can catch you off guard. Knowing about it... the early warning signs and how our chest x-rays at Guardian Health can help... is important for keeping your lungs full and healthy.
How a Human Lung Works
Before we talk about how things can go wrong, let's establish what it looks like when your lungs are working right!
First, lets start with how air gets evenly distributed throughout your lungs:
The trachea is the central pipe that air you breathe in travels down
It then forks into two channels: the left and right bronchus. This is how air gets to each lung relatively evenly.
Once air is traveling to an individual lung, it is dispersed throughout the lung via even smaller channels, called bronchioles. There are about 30,000 in each lung.
Finally, the air arrives at tiny little sacks ("alveoli"). There are at least 240 million of these in your lungs, and make up the majority of the lung tissue.
Second, let's go through how the lung works normally, to keep you alive:
Once air gets into each alveoli sack, they expand like balloons and fill with air
There, the alveoli serves as kind of a "trading post", where the air and blood make an exchange: the blood gives carbon dioxide, and receives oxygen.
Once your blood has enough oxygen, it gives it to the cells in your body
Meanwhile your alveoli deflate as you exhale...
sending all the carbon dioxide back through the bronchioles...
and to the bronchus...
and back up the trachea...
and out your nose and mouth.
Then, repeat all day, every day, until you die!
Here is what goes wrong when you have atelectasis (resorptive):
After you exhale, the alveoli contract, and are empty of air
But then something blocks one of the main channels (trachea, bronchus, or bronchioles)
This blockage can be due to excess secretions, which in turn forms a mucus plug...
Or it can be a build up of fluid, from pneumonia
Or an inhaled object, like food not chewed enough
This prevents air from returning, which in turn prevents the alveoli from re-expanding
the result is a collapsed lung, which in turn causes low levels of oxygen in the blood, known as hypoxemia.
Potentially Suffering from Atelectasis?
Need an Occupational Health Chest X-Ray?
Visit Our Page on Pulmonary Function Testing
Different Types of Atelectasis
What was described above was "Obstructive Atelectasis" and is the most common version of the condition. As described above, this is when the lung collapses due to a blockage in the airway, preventing an re-expansion. But there are other versions of atelectasis worth mentioning:
Nonobstructive Atelectasis (Passive): In this case, the airways are completely open and unobstructed. The collapse comes from something OUTSIDE: outside pressure pushes upon the lungs and prevents them from expanding, keeping them collapsed. The pressure is usually something like fluid build up or a tumor.
Contraction Atelectasis: This is caused by fibrosis, or lung scarring. When lungs get damaged, the body repairs them by forming excess connective tissue. While this is necessary, sometimes the tissue can be overwhelming for the alveoli, and prevent them from opening. In other words, the lung collapse occurs not because of blockage or pressure, but resistance due to lung tissue.
Partial Atelectasis: This is when an individual lobe on either the left or right lung collapses, but the rest of the lobes on that side continue to function normally.
Important note: while both involved a collapsed lung, atelectasis is different from a similar condition known as pneumothorax. In that case, the collapse is caused by air seeping into the space between your lungs and the chest wall, which creates pressure that causes the lung the collapse. In other words, atelectasis is more general, while pneumothorax is very specific.
In summary...
What is atelectasis?
Atelectasis is a pulmonary condition. It involves the millions of alveoli in the lungs being unable to expand again after you exhale due to something blocking the airway, pressure, or excessive scar tissue. This causes pain, difficulty breathing, and keeps oxygen from getting to your blood and organs. They are detected with
For those interested, here is a more precise medical definition.
Atelectasis Causes (and Why Blue Collar Workers are at Risk)
Like many diseases and conditions, anyone can get atelectasis. Oftentimes atelectasis happens as a result of another lung condition or occupational lung disease. After one has suffered from something like cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis, asthma, or pneumonia... your risk of atelectasis go way up.
But if you are handing it anyone that works with hazardous materials can be breathed in is at a greater risk. It doesn't matter if its vapor, liquids or particles; if it can get in your lungs, then it can mess with how your lungs work.
And that is a problem for physical, industrial, and blue-collar workers.
Those jobs place people around dust, fumes, and chemicals every day. Even with the right safety equipment it can be risky for your pulmonary health. But breathing it every day for years without any protection? That's like you're BEGGING for long lasting lung damage (or, as the doctors call it, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) which will turn a collapsed lung from something that happens once in a blue moon into a regular affair.
Not to mention inhaling some small objects and foreign bodies... like a stray screw flying off a machine or a rock flying from truck right into your mouth... but unless you are walking around with your mouth agape all day long, those happen a biiiiit less often.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Atelectasis
On the one hand, a full collapsed lung will be VERY noticeable. Suddenly you will have real trouble breathing and have sharp pain in your chest. When you are hovering above the ground wheezing so everyone on site can hear you, it is naturally alarming and pretty hard to miss.
But partial atelectasis is a different story. There are always symptoms, but many of them are vague... shared by other more common and less serious conditions. You might have a cough or a fever, or just have a hard time catching your breath.
If you notice your skin having a blue tint, get to the hospital ASAP. That means you have probably had atelectasis for some time and the blood in your body has not getting enough oxygen for awhile now.
To summarize, here are a few common atelectasis symptoms:
Breathing difficulty
Chest pain
Fast heart rate
Coughing
Blue skin ting
Wheezing
Fever
When Should I Seek Medical Attention?
Listen up and listen closely, because this is important: If you have ANY trouble breathing paired with chest pain chest pain or trouble breathing, take it seriously! It could mean atelectasis or another serious issue. Call your doctor or go to the emergency room... Ignoring it will not help. And it is much better to be safe than sorry.
Diagnosing Atelectasis in Workers
We all know it's easy to brush off a cough or some shortness of breath. We like to think we're tough. But when it comes to lung health, finding problems early can change everything.
The obvious problem: you can't see the lung from the outside. There is skin, muscle, bone... a while chest wall... creating an obstruction to seeing the whole lung. Which is why various scans are required.
Atelectasis Chest X-Ray Screenings
While Guardian Health does not specialize in stelectasis, our chest x-ray machine can pick it up on a routine test
While our chest x-rays are primarily for monitoring anyone working with silica and asbestos, it can be used for anything and everything, including detecting a collapsed lung.
Our physicians will first asking about your symptoms and medical history. That will include the iconic stethoscope to listen to your breathing too. And if we detect an irregularity in your breathing pattern, we'll go straight to a chest x-ray, which we have at our clinic.
While wearing protective gear, a safe amount of radiation passes through your body. Since the lungs are not very dense (like bones) doctors are able to see irregularities pretty easily.
Once we take the atelectasis chest xray, we upload the images to a radiologist, who will provide their professional opinion. They will be looking for "small volume linear shadows, usually peripherally or at the lung bases" to make a confident atelectasis diagnosis. They will also be able to see a buildup of fluid or air around the lungs, as well as any bacterial or viral growths from lung disease.
Other health screenings include CT scans (superhcarged computerized xrays), ultrasounds (real time video of your lungs in action), and bronchoscopy (little camera sent down your throat). Guardian Health can refer you out to specialists if any of these methods are deemed necessary.
Potentially Suffering from Atelectasis?
Need an Occupational Health Chest X-Ray?
Visit Our Page on Pulmonary Function Testing
Effective Treatment Options
Atelectasis is almost always treatable, especially when found early. These treatments fall under the umbrella of pulmonary he right treatment for you depends on the cause of your atelectasis in the first place. Guardian Health can connect workers to the proper treatment centers and specialists.
Aerosol Therapy: Similar to a super-duper inhaler, medicine in gaseous form is inhaled into the lungs. However, unlike an inhaler, the various methods must be performed/supervised by a licensed physician, as a high dose of medicine is being delivered in directly into the lungs.
Chest Physiotherapy: Techniques designed specifically to loosen and release mucus from within the lungs:
Postural Drainage: If a buildup of fluid due to excessive secretions is causing the collapsed lung, then one of the best and easiest solutions is to get your body vertical, and pair percussion (see below) with deep breathing.
Percussion Therapy: also known as "clapping" therapy. With the patient facing down, the physician cups their hands and gentle pats on their back in a steady rhythm. The vibrations loosen mucus within the lungs, allowing it to be ejected. Is often paired with the Postural Drainage method.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): This involves wearing a mask that gives pressurized air, assisting your breathing in and out to prevent airway collapse.
Incentive Spirometer: If the CPAP assists your lungs, the spirometer strengthens them. They help your lungs expand so they are better equiped to fight off infections.
On top of all of these, tour doctor may suggest medications, breathing exercises, or procedures to remove blocks. While not every option is offered at Guardian Health, we can help you obtain and process all the necessary health information, so you can make the best choice for your health and future.
When Is Surgery Necessary?
If a tumor or a foreign object is blocking your airway and causing your atelectasis, surgery may be needed to remove it. The good news is that surgical techniques have improved a lot, involving less incisions and quicker recovery time.
How Workers Can Protect Their Lungs on the Job
First of all, put your health first. You, your family, and the business will aaaaaall be better with you healthy. No one knows your body like you do, and no one can keep it healthy for you. So do yourself a favor: prioritize your own health.
Always use protective equipment. Masks and respirators are not just for decoration – they help filter out harmful things that can damage our lungs. If you are working with chemicals or in dusty areas, ensure there is good ventilation to keep the air clean.
Stay alert for potential hazards around your workplace. If you don't know the spots with the most risk factors, ask around. Know them and know them well.
I can't believe I need to say this, but don't mess around with clearly hazardous materials. Don't light them on fire for a prank. Don't spray them with some weird fuel. Even if you are wearing protective gear, DON'T PLAY WITH ABESTSOS.
Finally... and I know no one wants to hear this... but just general health is your best defense. Obesity, high blood pressure, and a bad diet always make things worse, no matter what medical condition it may be.
Summary
Atelectasis is a condition where air sacs do not inflate correctly, and as a result a part of the lung collapses
It's more common in us blue-collar folks due to the hazards of our jobs (dust, fumes, small particles, etc.)
Recognizing the symptoms early on is crucial; keep an eye out for stuff like shortness of breath, chest pain, and that bluish tinge on your skin or lips
Luckily, treatment can be pretty straightforward.
Breathing exercises and clearing out those airways can work wonders.
Guardian Health offers both preventative and restorative Atelectasis chest X-Rays
Mechanical ventilation is a lifesaver in times of emergencies
For long term solutions, surgery might be necessary.
Remember, your health is your most important asset! By being aware of symptoms and regularly getting your lungs checked, you can minimize the risks.
