Nikola Rajic/Christian Schandl/RadiologyCaseReports
MEDICINE – This is a first, to say the least unusual. A study published on March 24, 2022 in the journal Radiology Case Reports has just brought to light a medical case that is surprising to say the least, linking masturbation and lung disease.
Indeed, a young man would have gone to the emergency room of the Kantonsspital Winterthur, a Swiss hospital, complaining of acute pain in the chest. After an initial examination, caregivers notice regular crackles with respiratory effort, and diagnose one of subcutaneous emphysema and spontaneous pneumomediastinum.
The latter is a rare condition that usually affects young men in their twenties. This injury can be caused by an acute exacerbation of asthma, excessive vomiting or violent coughing, among other things. Intense physical exercise can also be the cause. Nevertheless, the circumstances of this present case remain totally unique and new.
A generally benign tear
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is not very pleasant. This injury is characterized by a sudden tearing of the lung membranes, due to increased blood pressure in the rib cage. In short, the heart suddenly accelerates and the lungs do not have time to react, which causes tears.
From then on, each breath is a pain, because the tears allow the air to escape out of the lungs (into the internal space, called the mediastinum). In most cases, it remains mild and affects only a small part of the population.
Researchers also explain that the vast majority of spontaneous pneumomediastinums disappear on their own, and that there is no cause for concern. Indeed, some patients do not even realize the tear or feel a simple discomfort for a few hours before the pain goes away on its own.
A one-of-a-kind case
Usually onanism does not explain the sudden appearance of a pneumomediastinum. However, the hospitalized young man (who explains that he suffers from mild asthma) affirms that he was masturbating when he felt the first pains. In fact, the first results of the scanner showed that his lungs were very damaged.
After various research, the authors of this new case report reporting similar (and equally rare) cases of people who suffered from spontaneous pneumomediastinum, but this time following sexual intercourse. For masturbation, this remains a first.
Despite this discovery, scientists remain very cautious. They believe that there must probably be other factors, combined with masturbation, to be taken into account to explain this case.
See also on HuffPost: As a couple, masturbation can become “an ally”, here’s how