In a bizarre medical case that highlights the unexpected risks of everyday activities, a 54-year-old man was rushed to the emergency room after suffering a severe lung injury while masturbating.
The incident, documented in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), began when the man, feeling a sneeze building, attempted to stifle it by pinching his nose and closing his mouth—a maneuver known as a “valsalva maneuver.” However, he performed this action while simultaneously straining during masturbation.
This combination of forceful bodily actions created a perfect storm of internal pressure. The pressure build-up was so intense that it caused his lung to spontaneously collapse—a condition medically known as a “pneumothorax.” The man arrived at the hospital complaining of sharp chest pains, a swollen neck, and difficulty swallowing.
Doctors quickly identified the issue: not only had his lung collapsed, but air had leaked into the space between his lungs and chest wall, and even into the deep tissues of his neck. This condition, called “subcutaneous emphysema,” was the cause of the unusual swelling.
Fortunately, the treatment was straightforward. Doctors inserted a chest tube to re-inflate his lung, a procedure that was successful. After a brief hospital stay for observation, the man made a full recovery.
The case serves as a stark reminder from physicians that holding your breath during strenuous activities, whether lifting weights or during moments of intense physical exertion, can be dangerously stressful on the body. While the circumstances are rare, the underlying principle is a crucial one: the body’s internal systems are not designed to withstand such sudden, high-pressure events.
