How do you get atelectasis

The medicines used to make you sleep during surgery can affect the way your lungs work, or the procedure itself can make it painful to breathe deeply. To help prevent atelectasis during and after surgery, your medical team may ask you to stop smoking and give you breathing exercises, medicines, or a breathing device such as a CPAP machine. Atelectasis may not cause signs or symptoms if it affects only a small area of lung. If it affects a larger area of the lung, it can cause fever, shallow breathing, wheezing, or coughing.

The most common test used to diagnose atelectasis is a chest X-ray. Bronchoscopy or imaging tests can confirm a diagnosis. Atelectasis treatment can include breathing or coughing exercises, inhaled medicines, breathing devices, or surgery. Atelectasis usually gets better with time or treatment. However, if it is undiagnosed or untreated, serious complications can occur, including fluid buildup, pneumonia , and respiratory failure. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter.

Show references Ferri FF. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed July 10, Conde MV, et al. Overview of the management of postoperative pulmonary complications. Accessed July 20, Goldman L, et al. Bronchiectasis, atelectasis, cysts, and localized lung disorders. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Accessed July 23, Smetana GW, et al. Strategies to reduce postoperative pulmonary complications.

Accessed August 20, Bope ET, et al. In: Conn's Current Therapy Restrepo RD, et al. Learn more. Atelectasis, the collapse of part or all of a lung, is caused by a blockage of the air passages bronchus or bronchioles or by pressure on the lung. Risk factors for atelectasis include anesthesia, prolonged bed rest with few changes in position, shallow breathing and underlying lung disease. Mucus that plugs the airway, foreign objects in the airway common in children and tumors that obstruct the airway may lead to atelectasis.

Large-scale atelectasis may be life threatening, especially in someone who has another lung disease or illness.