A pneumothorax is air leaking into the space around the lung, collapsing it — partially or completely. It sometimes happens without cause (especially in tall thin young men and smokers), after chest injuries, and in people with lung disease.

In short — what to do

  1. Go to the ER — any sudden chest pain with breathlessness needs assessment and imaging, even in the young.
  2. Sit in whatever position is most comfortable — often leaning toward the affected side.
  3. Avoid exertion, breath-holding, or trying to "crack" the chest.
  4. 998 immediately if the distress is severe or accelerating — tension pneumothorax kills in minutes and needs instant intervention.

Videos for this topic

A sharp stab while exercising? The lung may have collapsed

23 seconds

A sudden sharp pain on one side of the chest with breathlessness, especially in tall, thin young people and smokers, needs the ER today, not tomorrow.

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A hard blow to the chest and breathlessness getting worse?

13 seconds

If breathlessness gets worse quickly after a blow or fall onto the chest, it is a warning sign of a collapsed lung, not just a bruise: go to the ER now.

Sudden stab-like one-sided pain with breathlessness — needs imaging today, not tomorrow
Sudden stab-like one-sided pain with breathlessness — needs imaging today, not tomorrow
The full details

When to suspect it

  • Sudden sharp pain on ONE side of the chest — "like a stab" — worse on breathing in.
  • Breathlessness ranging from mild to severe.
  • After chest trauma (crash, fall, blow).
  • In divers, and occasionally after air travel.

What to do

  1. Go to the ER — any sudden chest pain with breathlessness needs assessment and imaging, even in the young.
  2. Sit in whatever position is most comfortable — often leaning toward the affected side.
  3. Avoid exertion, breath-holding, or trying to "crack" the chest.
  4. 998 immediately if the distress is severe or accelerating — tension pneumothorax kills in minutes and needs instant intervention.

Maximum-danger signs (tension pneumothorax)

  • Rapidly worsening distress with pallor and sweating.
  • Blueness and bulging neck veins.
  • Severe dizziness or imminent collapse — 998 now.

If it happened to you before

One spontaneous pneumothorax raises the odds of another: see a chest physician about diving, flying and smoking — and take any similar pain later seriously, immediately.

This content is for general health education only and is not medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. In an emergency, call 998.

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