Crowder tweeted on Friday that he had suffered a “mild lung collapse” that “sounds worse than it is.”
On Tuesday, Crowder updated his followers, writing: “Last night took a turn for the worse. Ever actually get so close that you can physically feel death? He’s a dick. The good news is, it’s fixable and these things happen. I’ll be back before you know it. Thanks for the support.”
A former Fox News contributor, Crowder, who has 5.49 million followers on YouTube, has made headlines in the past after being accused of using racist and homophobic language.
His condition appeared to trigger a spike in people searching for information about collapsed lungs on Google, according to the search engine’s analytics tool Google Trends.
What Causes a Collapsed Lung?
Also known as a pneumothorax, a collapsed lung happens when air escapes from the lung and enters the space between the lung and the chest wall, pushing on the organ. Part, or all, of the entire lung can be affected.
A chest injury can cause a collapsed lung, as well as some medical procedures. It can also be a complication of a lung disease. In other instances, what are known as blebs—or air blisters—can trigger the condition if they break open, for example when a person experiences a change in air pressure while scuba diving. Sometimes there is no clear reason. This is called a spontaneous collapsed lung.
Certain people are more at risk of having a pneumothorax than others, including those who are tall and thin, and smokers. Chronic conditions can also increase a person’s chance of having a collapsed lung, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis, and whooping cough.
What are the Symptoms of a Collapsed Lung?
A person with a collapsed lung may experience shortness of breath, which can prompt the nostrils to flare, and a sudden pain in their chest. More serious cases can cause the skin to turn blue because of a lack of oxygen, a tight chest, lightheadedness, feeling easily fatigued, abnormal breathing and a fast heart rate, as well as shock and collapse.
How bad the symptoms are can depend on what proportion of the lung has collapsed.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus page advises those who have collapsed lung symptoms to call their health care provider, particularly if you have had one before.
How is a Collapsed Lung Treated?
Less severe cases can correct themselves over time. In some cases, a needle is used to release the air from around the lung.
When a bigger proportion of the lung has collapsed a chest tube may be used to remove the air. This is done by putting the tube in the space near the lungs so they can expand, and can take several days. A person may need to stay in hospital depending on the size of the tube.
