Treatment
Your lungs work around the clock, so it is easy to ignore small changes in your breathing. But many lung conditions, including asthma, COPD and infections, are far easier to treat when they are caught early. These five signs deserve attention.
1. A cough that will not go away
A cough lasting more than three weeks, or one that keeps coming back, should not be brushed off as "just a cold". Chronic cough has many causes, from asthma to acid reflux, and finding the cause is the first step to relief.
2. Breathlessness during everyday activity
Getting out of breath while climbing stairs or walking at a pace that used to be easy is a signal worth checking, especially if it is slowly getting worse.
3. Wheezing or chest tightness
A whistling sound when you breathe out, or a feeling of tightness in the chest, is a classic sign of airway narrowing, particularly if it is worse at night or in the early morning.
4. Frequent chest infections
If you keep getting bronchitis or pneumonia, there may be an underlying problem in the lungs that needs to be looked into.
5. Chest pain or coughing up blood
Pain when you breathe deeply or cough, and especially any blood in your phlegm, needs prompt medical evaluation.
When to see a specialist
- Symptoms that last more than a few weeks
- Symptoms that interfere with sleep, work or exercise
- Any blood in the phlegm or sudden severe breathlessness (seek care immediately)
A simple examination along with a lung function test and chest X-ray can often explain what is going on. If any of these signs sound familiar, book a consultation rather than waiting for it to get worse.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice.
