Warning Signs of Lung Disease

Many people pay little attention to a slight cough of a little bit of wheezing, however, it is of utmost importance that we pay attention to even the mildest of symptoms. Most people when having slight breathing difficulties just chalk it up to getting older.

Why is it important to pay attention to the tiniest of symptoms? The reason is simple. These symptoms could be the first sign of something much bigger than the common cold, like COPD, asthma, or even lung cancer. Gaining the knowledge of what signs to look out for can help educate an individual and also encourage them to seek treatment before the disease becomes serious or life-threatening. Always remember, early detection could save your life.

Warning Signs

Chronic Cough: A cough can be considered to be chronic when a person has had it for a month or more. If you have been coughing for that long, your body is telling you that something is wrong with your respiratory system.

Shortness of Breath: While many experience shortness of breath immediately after or during exercise, it is not normal when the shortness of breath does not go away. Most of the time, feeling that it is difficult to breathe in and out, is a definite warning sign.

Wheezing: Many people confuse wheezing with shortness of breath. Wheezing is a sign that something is blocking your lungs’ airways or making them too narrow.

Chronic Mucus Production: Mucus is produced in the respiratory system to protect your lungs against infections or irritations. However, if your body has been producing mucus for over a month, it could indicate lung disease and a trip to your healthcare provider would be advised.

Coughing Up Blood: Coughing up blood is definitely not a natural occurrence in your body. This blood is a definite sign of a health problem and should be checked out immediately.

Chronic Chest Pain: Like a cough, for a chest pain to qualify as chronic, it has to have lasted for a month or longer.