Can You Live with One Lung? Survival, Life & Effects | Credihealth

The lungs are vital organs that are responsible for the inhalation and exhalation of air. They help supply oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the body. But, due to medical conditions like lung cancer, lung infections, or birth defects, you may have to get one lung removed through surgery (pneumonectomy). But, now the question that arises is can you live with one lung? This guide will help you understand how your body adapts, what challenges to expect, and how to take care of yourself after lung removal. Let’s get started!

Can You Live With One Lung?

Yes, you can live with one lung. After lung removal surgery (called pneumonectomy) due to medical conditions like lung cancer, lung infections, or traumatic injuries, the remaining lung takes the workload by expanding and working harder to meet the body’ need for sufficient oxygen. This adaptability of one lung allows you to breathe, engage in physical activities, and maintain a good quality of life.

However, you may experience some limitations like fatigue, shortness of breath while exercising, reduced exercise capacity, and a high risk of respiratory infection. Life expectancy with one lung will depend on the cause of removal, age, post-surgical recovery, and the overall health of a person. 

How Does the Body Adapt After One Lung Removal?

This is how your body adapts after your one lung is removed:

• Compensatory Lung Expansion: The remaining lung slowly expands to take the workload like inhaling more air, helping maintain enough blood oxygen levels.

• Increased Breathing Efficiency: With time, the body becomes much more efficient in exchanging oxygen, allowing you to perform daily activities without significant restrictions.

• Stronger Respiratory Muscles: The chest and diaphragm muscles work more hard to help with breathing.

• Improved Oxygen Levels in the Blood: The circulatory system of the body becomes highly efficient in supplying oxygen.

• Brain and Body Adaptation: The brain sends signals to the body to modify the activity levels depending on the availability of oxygen.

4 Challenges of Living With One Lung

Though most people lead healthy lives after the lung removal surgery once their bodies adjust to the changes, there come some challenges too such as:

1. Shortness of Breath

• Research reports that shortness of breath is a common issue after surgery in lung cancer patients. However, most individuals can still engage in daily tasks like light jogging, walking, and swimming.

• The degree of breathlessness may vary from one person to another based on their age, physical condition, and overall health.

2. Reduced Exercise Capacity

• A study states that pneumonectomy can cause a reduction in lung capacity. This can make it harder to practice strenuous physical activities like heavy lifting, running, cycling, hiking, and rock climbing.

• This happens due to shortness of breath and reduced oxygen intake.

• However, rehabilitation and training can help regain stamina slowly, allowing you to perform physical activities at a qualified level.

3. Higher Risk of Respiratory Infections

• With one lung, the ability of the body to combat respiratory infections like pneumonia may be reduced. 

• Hence, it becomes more crucial to maintain good respiratory health by avoiding smoking and getting vaccinations for flu and pneumonia.

4. Emotional & Mental Health Impact

• Concerns about living a normal life, coping with the loss of body parts, and practicing physical activities after a lung surgery can put stress on the person very heavily. This can lead to health issues such as anxiety, depression, or fear in them.

• In these cases, support from mental health professionals, family members, and friends can help a person handle the situation and regain their confidence.

Warning Signs Your One Lung May Not Be Functioning Well

An effective approach to prevent respiratory-related issues from rising is familiarizing yourself with warning signs indicating poor lung function:

• Shortness of breath

• Chronic cough

• Unexplained fatigue

• Trouble breathing

• Increased mucus production

• Tightness while breathing

• Less stamina

• Persistent symptoms that do not go away

If you or your loved one is living with only one lung or have any conditions that can raise the chances of needing a lung removal surgery, see a thoracic surgeon or pulmonologist to know how to improve your respiratory health. 

Why Would You Need a Lung Removed?

These factors are the reason why you need a lung surgery (Pneumonectomy):

• Lung Cancer: To get the tumor removed and prevent the risk of spread of cancer.

• Severe Lung Infections: Health conditions such as chronic pneumonia or tuberculosis might require lung removal to prevent the spread of infection.

• Severe Trauma or Injury: For severe injuries or damage to the lungs in case of accidents or stab wounds, the providers may suggest lung removal surgery.

• Congenital (Birth) Defects: Some individuals have lung abnormalities since birth that need to be surgically removed as they affect the function of the lungs.

• Chronic Lung Diseases: In rare cases, people with conditions like severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis may need pneumonectomy to reduce symptoms and enhance quality of life. 

Understanding Pneumonectomy (Lung Removal Surgery)

A pneumonectomy is a surgical procedure that a thoracic surgeon performs to remove one entire damaged lung. It is conducted to treat medical conditions like lung cancer, severe lung infections, traumatic injuries, or other lung diseases.

Procedure of Pneumonectomy: How the Surgery Works

• Pre-Surgery Evaluation: The healthcare providers perform lung function tests, X-rays, CT scans, and overall health assessment to check lung health and function.

• Anesthesia Administration: The providers will give general anesthesia to ensure you’re unconscious and experience pain-free surgery.

• Incision: A thoracic surgeon makes one incision on the side of your chest to get access to the lung.

• Lung Removal: The surgeon then carefully detaches the damaged lung from the blood vessels, bronchus, and surrounding tissues.

• Sealing and Closing: Next, the provider seals the bronchial stump to prevent air leaks, and closes the blood vessels to prevent bleeding.

• Drain Placement: A chest tube might be placed to get rid of excess air or fluid.

• Surgical Closure: The surgeon stitches the chest incision.

After a Pneumonectomy: Recovery Process

• Hospital Recovery: A hospital stay for about 5 to 10 days for pain management and proper monitoring of breathing, heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure. The full recovery will take a few weeks or months.

• Working with Respiratory Therapists: Respiratory therapists teach you specific breathing exercises to perform many times a day. This will help strengthen your breathing and alleviate accumulated fluid from the surgery.

Risks & Complications of Pneumonectomy:

Most people do well after pneumonectomy, but some may experience these possible complications:

• Blood clot in the lung

• Pneumonia

• Respiratory failure

• Too much bleeding

• Breathing difficulties.

• Complications from anesthesia

• Abnormal heart rhythms

• Low blood flow to the heart

• If you experience these complications, seek medical attention immediately. 

10 Expert Tips for Staying Healthy with One Lung

Follow these tips to live healthily with one lung:

1. Practice Deep Breathing: Aids in strengthening the remaining lungs and boosts oxygen intake.

2. Stay Active: Practice light exercises such as walking or swimming to improve lung function.

3. Avoid Smoking and Pollutants: Avoiding smoke, chemicals, and pollution can keep your lungs protected from damage.

4. Follow a Healthy Diet: Consume antioxidant-rich foods like fruits and veggies to protect from infections and vitamin C-rich foods like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and citrus fruits for faster healing. Avoid salty foods as they retain water.

5. Stay Hydrated: Drink a lot of water to clear the airways and prevent the risk of mucus accumulation.

6. Get Vaccinated: Get vaccination for flu and pneumonia to keep yourself protected from these infections as they affect the lungs.

7. Practice Breathing Techniques: Engage in pursed-lip breathing technique to manage your breathlessness.

8. Manage Stress: By activating the “fight-or-flight” response of the body, stress can worsen breathing issues. So, practice meditation, yoga, or relaxation exercises.

9. Monitor Breathing Changes: If you notice persistent cough or extreme shortness of breath, consult a doctor.

10. Get Regular Check-ups: Always follow up with a doctor to ensure proper functioning of your lungs.

Can Your Lung Regenerate?

No, there is no possibility of the lung regenerating or growing back if it is completely removed. However, other organs around the lungs can shift to the place where your lung was once. This is the normal way of the body adapting after surgery. Maintaining the health of the lungs is a vital part of living well. So, eat healthily, exercise regularly, avoid smoking, and follow up regularly with your doctor. 

Final Thoughts: Living Well With One Lung

So, can you live with one lung? As we learned in the article earlier, Yes, it’s possible to live with one lung. However, there might be some physical limitations such as reduced exercise capacity, shortness of breath, or fatigue, but with a healthy lifestyle, physical therapy, and proper medical care, you can maintain a good quality of life. Also, eat a balanced diet, stay active, avoid smoke, get vaccinations, and go for regular health check-ups.

The human body has the ability to bounce back, showing that with one lung, life can proceed!

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