For alveolar rupture, three general causes are considered: specific infections of the lungs, emphysema/Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and external forces.
1. Specific infections of the lungs: Bacterial, fungal and viral infections that cause damage to lung tissue and alveoli, leading to alveolar rupture. Patients usually have symptoms such as coughing up sputum, coughing, chest pain and fever.
2. Emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Smoking, dust, chemicals and hereditary factors lead to abnormalities in the structure of the lung bronchial tubes and the inability of the lungs to expel gases, resulting in the accumulation of gas in the lungs.
A large amount of accumulated air can cause the elastic fibers of the alveolar wall to break down and form alveoli. When the patient coughs violently, the alveoli will rupture and lead to pneumothorax. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a particularly pronounced morning cough that produces plasma-foamy sputum or white mucus, which may be bloodstained, as well as symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnea, anxiety, and lethargy.
3. External forces: External factors such as stabbing, needling, gunshot wounds, etc., lead to physical rupture of alveoli, which in turn produces pneumothorax and bleeding.
It is recommended that if patients feel unwell, they should actively go to the hospital to get a clear diagnosis and treatment under the doctor’s advice to avoid delaying the condition.