Can a person live with one lung?

Living with one lung might sound like an impossibility for many of us, as we are used to thinking of lungs as an inseparable pair that work in unison to keep us breathing properly.

However, the human body is incredibly adaptable, and in some cases, a person can live without a second lung despite it being challenging at times. 

This article will explore whether a person can live with one lung, possible reasons for having one lung, its risks, and more.

Reasons for having one lung

There are various reasons why someone might have only one lung. One of the most common reasons is lung cancer, a type of cancer that develops in the tissues of the lung, usually in the cells that line the air passages.

If the cancerous growth is confined to one lung, a surgical procedure known as a pneumonectomy may be required to remove the affected lung altogether.

A pneumonectomy may involve removing the entire lung and any cancerous tissues or tumors. While this procedure can be lifesaving, it also means that you will have to adapt to life with just one lung.

Other conditions that may lead to lung removal include severe infections like tuberculosis and traumatic lung injuries that cause irreparable damage to the lung tissue. 

In some rare cases, a person may be born with only one lung or have a lung removed during childhood due to congenital abnormalities or complications during development.

Living with one lung

Many people living with one lung have a normal life expectancy, although some abilities, like the ability to exercise, are likely to be lowered.

Although there are risks to living with one lung, the outlook isn’t all bad. Some 2019 research found that patients reported in a questionnaire that their quality of life after undergoing a pneumonectomy was good, and the results were better than the researchers expected.

Risks of living with one lung 

While living a healthy life with just one lung is possible, there are some potential risks and challenges.

One of the primary risks of living with one lung is that the remaining lung has to work harder to compensate for the missing organ.

This means that the lung may be more susceptible to infections, and the person may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, or other respiratory symptoms.

Like with any surgery, in the postoperative period after a pneumonectomy, you might be a risk of some complications, including something called post-pneumonectomy syndrome that causes shortness of breath and infection. However, this is quite rare, affecting only 0.1% of patients.

Because of the risk of complications, you may need to maintain regular follow-up appointments with a doctor to monitor your health and detect any signs of infection early.

People who have had a pneumonectomy may also be more vulnerable to environmental factors, such as air pollution, or high altitudes, which can stress the remaining lung more. 

To minimize these risks, a person who has had a pneumonectomy may need to work closely with a doctor to manage their symptoms, monitor their lung function, and make lifestyle modifications.

Related conditions 

Living with one lung may increase the risk of developing certain respiratory conditions or experiencing complications from other illnesses.

For example, people with one lung may be more susceptible to infections such as pneumonia in the post-operative period, which can be especially dangerous for people with compromised lung function.

Treatment options for these conditions may vary depending on the specific diagnosis. Still, they often include a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and supportive therapies, such as oxygen therapy or pulmonary rehabilitation.

Surgery may sometimes be necessary to remove damaged tissues or correct structural abnormalities in the remaining lung.

For bacterial infections like bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics may be prescribed to help clear the infection and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body. This might include amoxicillin (Amoxil) or azithromycin (Zithromax).

If you have pneumonia caused by a virus, you might be prescribed antiviral medication such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu). However, medication isn’t commonly prescribed to treat it, and it may go away on its own. As risks are higher if you have one lung, you should speak with a medical professional.

In addition to medications, lifestyle modifications can benefit people with one lung. Regular exercise can help improve lung function and overall health, while avoiding environmental triggers such as cigarette smoke and air pollution can help prevent further lung damage.

People with one lung are at an increased risk of respiratory complications. Hence, working closely with a doctor can help them develop a personal treatment plan that meets their unique needs and supports their overall health and well-being.

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Summary 

Living with one lung is possible but comes with risks and challenges. One of the most common reasons for having one lung is lung cancer, which may require a surgical procedure known as a pneumonectomy.

After this surgery, a person may experience reduced exercise capacity and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections in the post-operative period due to the remaining lung working harder to meet the body’s oxygen demands. 

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Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.