Lung Cancer Symptoms: 10 Lung Symptoms You Should Get Checked Out - Parade

Posted: 06 Dec 2019 08:46 AM PST

(iStock photo)

Got a cough that just won't quit? Dealing with what you thought was a simple respiratory infection, but now you're not so sure? When it comes to your lung health, don't take chances—learn everything you can about your cough or any other symptom that's bothering you. Here's the 411 you need to know regarding lung signs you especially need to pay attention to.

10 lung symptoms you should take seriously

1. Shortness of breath that stops you in your tracks

When is trouble getting enough air considered a medical emergency? When it impedes your ability to do something. "If you experience shortness of breath resulting in inability to walk or speak in full sentences, or you can't swallow, this is certainly considered to be a medical emergency," says Kathryn Melamed, MD, a pulmonary and critical care physician at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, California, and assistant clinical instructor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. "Also, shortness of breath that's accompanied by dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or fever should prompt a patient to seek urgent medical attention." You could be dealing with any number of conditions with this symptom, including heart trouble that could be serious, so never minimize this.

2. A weird-sounding cough

"Any persistent, severe cough should be evaluated," says Dr. Melamed. "If you also experience wheezing, which specifically sounds like a high-pitched musical noise heard when you exhale, you want to seek urgent medical care." A sign that your airway could be compromised or closing up is called stridor—it's a high-pitched sound heard when you breathe that originates in your throat or neck—you need immediate attention if you hear this. And last, if you hear a "whooping" sound after each cough or after a series of violent coughs, that may be a sign of a Bordetella pertussis infection, which causes whooping cough. Get treatment, because if you have whooping cough, it's important both for your health and so you don't spread whooping cough to other people, particularly those who haven't been vaccinated against it.

When to skip a workout. Feeling under the weather and not sure if you should hit the gym? Consider the "neck check": If your symptoms are above the neck―sore throat, coughing, sneezing or runny nose―it's typically OK to work out. But it's a good idea to rest if your symptoms are below the neck―chest congestion or hacking cough, muscle aches, fever, fatigue or upset stomach.

3. Developing asthma out of the blue

According to data from MD Anderson Center at The University of Texas, if your doctor tells you you're suffering from asthma and you're 30 or older, you may be dealing with a more serious problem, as it's not typical for asthma to show up this late in life. Don't panic, but do get that wheezing, cough or shortness of breath seen quickly by a second doctor, and report any other potential signs of lung cancer: weight loss when you're not trying for it, pain in your chest, arm or shoulder that doesn't go away, swelling in your face and/or neck, feeling unusually tired or weak, noticing that your fingers look clubbed, or having bronchitis or pneumonia repeatedly.

4. A cough that lasts a really, really long time

A cough that lingers longer than six weeks should always be checked out, as again, it could be a lung cancer symptom, according to MD Anderson. Don't panic, but do be proactive.

5. A bloody cough

Always a red flag—literally. Coughing up blood could be a sign of lung cancer, injury or other serious illness. "If you ever cough up blood, either bright red new blood or darker old blood, you should seek medical attention," says Dr. Melamed. "If you cough up bright red blood repeatedly, or ever have an episode where you cough up a half cup of blood or more than that, go straight to the emergency room."

6. Trouble breathing when you work out

According to the Mayo Clinic, this can be a sign of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction—a form of asthma. How does this happen? When you exert yourself, your airways can narrow, and therefore you can find yourself getting strangely breathless during and after your workout. See your doctor for a lung function test, and if you've got it, meds and advice on how to manage your issue so you can comfortably do the exercise you love.

7. Pain when you breathe in and out

"Pain with breathing, known as pleurisy, can be seen with a number of conditions," says Dr. Melamed.

"You could have a pulmonary embolism, or a blood clot in your lungs. You could have pneumonia. You could have a pleural effusion—fluid around your lungs—or musculoskeletal pain on your chest wall, which is often called costochondritis). If your pain is so severe that you can't take a full breath, seek medical attention."

8. A sharp pain on one side of your chest

Feel like you're getting stabbed over and over? You could have a collapsed lung, which could mean you suffer from a genetic condition like Birt-Hogg-Dubé Syndrome, which can cause lung, skin and kidney problems. If your lung has collapsed, you might also have trouble breathing, experience a dry cough, see that you skin looks blue, feel tired, or feel your heart beating very fast. You might also feel a strange cracking in your chest, or your lung might actually feel loose as you move. In some cases, a small collapse can resolve on its own, but you still should call your doctor even if these symptoms go away. A collapsed lung could also indicate an injury or be a symptom of other conditions you need to be treated for.

9. A cough that produces white mucus

While not necessarily dangerous, white mucus could indicate that a lung disease you already have, like asthma or COPD, isn't as well-controlled as it could be, according to data from Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center. Talk to your doctor to see if a new therapy or treatment plan might be in order.

10. Any lung symptom that just doesn't feel right

You know your body better than anybody else. If a symptom is stressing you out, don't wish it away—get it checked out, and feel the relief of knowing you've got options to help yourself feel better!

Check out a lung cancer survivor's personal story.

Think you’ve got the flu? 6 ways to know if you’re too sick to go to work - The Sun

Posted: 06 Dec 2019 08:43 AM PST

MILLIONS of Brits soldier on despite being struck down by the dreaded flu over the winter months.

In fact, as many as half of us say we'd still go into work while one in four say they would have to be in hospital before they took a day off sick.

Half of all workers say they'd still go into work if they had the fluCredit: Getty - Contributor

Despite this, doctors are urging people to stay at home if they have a bad case of the influenza - especially given it is highly contagious and is spread through close contact with people who are riddled with the germs.

This therefore makes places like offices the perfect breeding ground for spreading the virus.

As Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: "For those who are working, soldiering on and trying to work when sick with the flu is not the answer - you're only likely to make it worse, spread it to others and it will delay your recovery."

She also warns people to stay away from pregnant women, people who are frail, and the elderly as this can potentially heighten the risk of spreading infection.

With this in mind, here are some of the ways to know if you're too poorly to go to work...

1. Chills and sweats

If you have chills and notice yourself sweating through your office attire - it's most likely the flu has triggered a fever.

The NHS urges people to stay away from work if this happens, especially if your temperature is more than 38C.

Consider seeing your doctor, particularly if you have a fever and white patches on your tonsils as this could signal you have strep throat which is highly contagious and you may need antibiotics.

How to treat it: Make sure you stay hydrated and drink plenty of liquids.

2. Headaches

Many people find they develop intense headaches when they have the flu.

This is because the mucous membranes lining the nasal and sinus cavities can become inflamed when infected with the flu virus.

It can result in increased pressure around the eyes and face, which may lead to a magnified headache.

If you find your headache is causing you to struggle with noise, light and even looking at a screen then it is best to stay at home until this clears up.

How to treat it: Get some rest in a quiet dark room and try using over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.

3. Diarrhoea and nausea

Diarrhoea is not one of the more well-known flu symptoms, but it can occur if you are already susceptible to digestive complaints.

This can make sufferers feel very weak and dehydrated so it is important to stay away from work if this is happening to you and rest-up.

How to treat it: Make sure you drink plenty of water as you will be losing a lot of fluid.

Also, try to eat a little dry bread or toast to keep your blood sugar levels up.

4. Muscle pains

Muscle and joint aches can become severe once the flu sets in - and these can leave you feeling weak, fatigued and extremely exhausted.

Dr Keith Hopcroft, a GP based in Basildon, Essex, says there's one simple rule you can follow to work out if your muscle pain means you're not well enough to make it into work.

"This is the GP's rule of thumb," he told The Sun. "Say you're lying in bed and you realise there's a £50 note lying in your garden, would you be able to get up and fetch it?"

"Of course not, I'm too ill." That's flu. "Yes, and can I check my neighbour's garden, too?" That's a cold.

So now you know if it really is flu.

How to treat it: Once, again - you'll need more water as the body needs a bit of H2O to prevent muscle cramping and soreness.

You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever to make you more comfortable - or a warm bath or shower can relieve body pain.

If you've got a nice boyfriend or girlfriend, ask them to give you a massage on the parts of your body that ache.

4. Nasty cough

Many people get a sore throat and a runny nose, but unlike ordinary colds, the flu can also produce a hacking, dry cough.

In particular, if you're coughing up dark mucus and your cough is deep and makes you feel out of breath it's important to stay at home.

How to treat it: Lozenges and throat sprays which you can get over-the-counter can help ease the symptoms of a nasty cough.

Your pharmacist will be able to help you decide which is the right option for you.

5. Sinus pain

If you have pain around your eyes, top of the forehead, cheekbones and even the top of your teeth this means you could have developed a sinus infection.

Go ahead and call in sick if this happens.

How to treat it: Make sure you get plenty of rest and dispose of used tissues after sneezing.

Cold and flu tablets will also help to ease sinus pain.

6. Earache

Earaches often develop as a side effect to the flu, when the tissue in our sinuses swells up and blocks the middle part of our inner ear, preventing fluid from draining.

A build-up of fluid causes painful pressure and can lead to infection and, for some unfortunate few, a loss of hearing.

How to treat it: Take a trip to your doctor - they might prescribe an antibiotic or pain-relief medicine.

Or, it has been claimed that a warm sock full of salt on your ear can help with the pain.

All you need is a clean, plain white 100 per cent cotton sock and around one and a half cups of coarse sea salt.

Dr Keith Hopcroft emphasises that if your symptoms don't clear up within a few days, it's worth seeing your doctor.

He says: "If you're getting worse, the symptoms aren't settling or you've got other serious health problems such diabetes or chest trouble, you should speak to your GP."

What is the difference between the flu and the common cold?

Search This Blog

Mucus