Well-known musician passed away, and was hospitalized several times due to pneumothorax! Be alert if you have these symptoms, it may be your body's "call for help"

According to media reports, the well-known musician Khalil Fong died on February 21, 2025 at the age of 41. On March 1, according to Weibo @賦音樂FUMUSIC, after facing the disease with a positive attitude for 5 years, Khalil Fong left this world peacefully and serenely on the morning of February 21, 2025, heading to another realm of his life journey to continue his mission and dream. The music and graphic novels he left behind are eternal spiritual wealth. Previously, on February 13, Khalil Fong had posted a song on Weibo.

Weibo screenshot

According to public information, Khalil Fong was born on July 14, 1983 in Hawaii, USA. He is a Chinese pop singer, songwriter, music producer, film producer, and film actor. He lived in Shanghai and Guangzhou successively, and settled in Hong Kong in 1997. He became popular after releasing his first solo album "Soulboy" in 2005. His representative works include "Love Song", "Special Someone", "Three People's Tour", "Spring Breeze Blowing", "Love Love Love", etc.

Disappeared for 8 years due to "explosion of lung"

What is "explosive lung"?

It is reported that in 2010, Khalil Fong was hospitalized several times due to pneumothorax (exploded lung) caused by overwork. In April 2016, Khalil Fong established his own music label "FU MUSIC" and released a double-disc music album "JTW Journey to the West", after which he gradually faded out of the public eye. On July 14, 2024, after 8 years, he announced his return on Weibo, claiming that he "finally walked on the road to recovery from the days of illness."

After learning about Khalil Fong's experience, let's first learn about the medical principles of pneumothorax. Of course, the lungs will not explode like a balloon. First of all, we need to understand that the lungs are located in the thorax formed by the spine, ribs and sternum, one on each side, and the two layers of pleura that are close to the surface of the lungs and the inner wall of the thorax constitute our pleural cavity. Normally, there is no gas in the pleural cavity, but when our "lungs" are broken, the gas will leak into the pleural cavity through the rupture, forming gas accumulation, which is what we call pneumothorax. Because the lung tissue is softer than the thorax, when gas accumulates in the pleural cavity and the pressure increases, the lungs will be squeezed and collapsed. The amount of lung collapse depends on the amount of gas accumulated in the pleural cavity. When there is little air in the pleural cavity and the lungs are compressed by less than 30%, people can still breathe normally; when there is a little more air in the pleural cavity and the lungs are compressed by about 50%, people can still breathe, but there is obviously not enough air; when the gas in the pleural cavity continues to increase and the lungs are compressed by more than 75%, people will feel that there is not enough air even to turn over, and the whole body can only rely on the other half of the lung for oxygen, which is very dangerous.

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Spontaneous pneumothorax

The most common, in simple terms, is a small hole in the surface of the lung, and air leaks from the lung into the pleural cavity (the space between the lung and the chest wall). This leaked air will compress the lungs, causing chest pain, difficulty breathing, and even life-threatening in severe cases.

There are two types of spontaneous pneumothorax: primary and secondary.

Primary pneumothorax : Due to various reasons, the pressure in the alveoli increases, the alveolar wall ruptures, and the inhaled gas enters the pleural cavity, causing air accumulation and forming pneumothorax.

Secondary pneumothorax : It is usually caused by problems with the lungs themselves. For example, patients with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, tuberculosis, etc. have relatively fragile lung tissue, and a little force may cause "air leakage" in the lungs.

Traumatic pneumothorax

It refers to pneumothorax caused by pleural rupture due to chest trauma such as car accidents and falls from heights.

Iatrogenic pneumothorax

It refers to pneumothorax caused by the inadvertent puncture of the pleura or lung tissue during a medical operation, allowing gas to enter.

What behaviors can cause the lungs to " leak "?

Pneumothorax is mostly caused by rupture of bullae, which may occur after severe coughing, breath holding or strenuous exercise, but sometimes may occur spontaneously during rest or even sleep. Bullae, medically known as bullae, refer to air-filled sacs with a diameter of more than 1 cm formed in lung tissue. These bullae are usually formed due to rupture of the alveolar wall and fusion with each other. Bullae are divided into congenital and acquired types. Congenital bullae are more common in young people with tall and thin body types, because patients with this body type are more likely to have decreased elasticity of the alveolar wall due to congenital dysplasia of elastic fibers, and bullae are easily formed after expansion.

The occurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax usually requires some "trigger":

Vigorous exercise : When the exercise intensity is high, the chest pressure increases suddenly, and the lungs cannot bear it and “explode”.

Coughing or sneezing : Coughing too hard or sneezing too forcefully can cause your lungs to become “leaky.”

Changes in air pressure : When diving or riding in an airplane, your lungs may protest due to sudden changes in air pressure.

Emotional excitement : laughing, shouting, quarreling... Once emotions get aroused, the chest pressure will soar, which may also cause spontaneous pneumothorax.

These people should be extra vigilant

If you have these symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately

Tall and thin young boys : During puberty, the lung tissue of tall and thin people often cannot keep up with the rapid growth and development, and they are prone to congenital elastic fiber dysplasia.

Patients with lung diseases : such as asthma, chronic obstructive disease, tuberculosis, interstitial lung disease, etc.

People who smoke for a long time : Long-term smoking can easily lead to lung inflammation, changes in the structure of bronchioles and alveoli, etc.

Losing weight is a good thing, but don't exercise too much just to get quick results. 20 push-ups may be easy for some people, but it may be a "fatal blow" for others. Therefore, you must choose the exercise intensity that suits your own conditions.

Chest pain, difficulty breathing, dry cough... these symptoms may indicate that your body is crying out for help. If you experience these symptoms, don't just bear it, go to the hospital immediately:

Chest pain : Chest pain is the most typical symptom of pneumothorax. It usually occurs on one side and is like a stabbing pain or tearing pain. Sometimes it radiates to the shoulder, back or arm. Chest pain may occur suddenly and worsen with coughing and deep breathing. The pain generally does not subside on its own and can only be relieved after treatment.

Dyspnea : Often occurs simultaneously with chest pain, manifested by shortness of breath after climbing a few steps of stairs, chest tightness after lifting heavy objects, and a feeling that something is blocking the chest and that there is not enough air in the lungs.

Cough : Generally dry cough.

In daily life, prevention is more important than cure. Quitting smoking, maintaining healthy living habits, and avoiding excessive fatigue and strenuous exercise are all key to preventing spontaneous pneumothorax. If chest pain and difficulty breathing occur after coughing violently or exerting too much force, go to the hospital in time to avoid delaying treatment.

What are the treatments for pneumothorax ?

A pneumothorax can be diagnosed with a chest X-ray.

1. The general principles of treatment are: remove chest gas, close fistula, promote lung re-expansion, eliminate the cause, and reduce recurrence.

2. If the lung compression is less than 30%, the closed pneumothorax is simple, occurs for the first time, and has no obvious symptoms, conservative treatment can be considered.

3. If lung compression is greater than 30% and there is difficulty breathing, thoracentesis, aspiration and closed chest drainage should be performed.

4. Consider thoracic surgery for patients who fail conservative medical treatment or have recurrent pneumothorax, hemothorax, or giant bullae.

5. If you suspect you have pneumothorax, please go to the hospital to see a professional respiratory physician or thoracic surgeon to examine you.

6. For pneumothorax, most cases can be improved or cured through treatment and observation.

7. Please remember this: A minor pneumothorax is not a serious illness, but it can still be fatal if not treated properly.

Source: China News Network, News Square, CCTV News Client

Editor: David Duan