Pneumothorax Symptoms and Risk Factors

Certain body types make people more likely to develop primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

• Tall and Thin: There is a well-documented association with a tall, asthenic body build. It is hypothesized that the rapid growth of the chest relative to the lung parenchyma during adolescence increases the mechanical stress at the lung apices, promoting the formation of subpleural blebs.
• Gender and Age: Men are significantly more likely to be affected than women. The peak incidence occurs in the 20s.

Risk Factor: Smoking and Vaping

Smoking is the biggest risk factor for pneumothorax that people can change.

• Tobacco Smoke: Current smokers have a markedly increased risk compared to non-smokers. The risk increases in a dose-dependent manner with the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Smoking causes inflammation and bronchiolitis, which can lead to air trapping and bleb formation.
• Cannabis: Smoking marijuana involves deep inhalation and breath-holding (Valsalva maneuver), which can increase intra-alveolar pressure and rupture blebs.
• Vaping: Emerging evidence suggests that e-cigarettes and vaping can also cause lung injury and inflammation, potentially predisposing to pneumothorax.