My husband has been told his lung has collapsed 2 cm a week ago. He was not given any medication nor hospitalized and was told to go back to work as normal but avoid stressful activities that could pull something. He feels much better and we are going to get it checked again this week.
He is a tall thin male, 29 years old. We are heading to Italy for 2 weeks in a few days, the doctor has neither said to go or not to go but has almost just left it up to us.
Any suggestions? advice? statistics?
There is an increased incidence of spontaneous pneumothorax in tall, thin individuals. And, having had two pneumothoraces increases the likelihood of an individual having a 3rd or a 4th. However, that increased possibility of recurrence would, almost certainly, be nullified by your having gone >30 years without a recurrence.
One's risk of a recurrent pneumothorax is not increased by flying at high altitude. But, were a pneumothorax to occur while on a jet-liner, you might experience more respiratory distress than were you at sea level, but that too would not be a concern if you have healthy lungs.