A nagging cough or wheeze may not register much during our daily lives, but it’s very important to pay attention to even mild symptoms. Some people think that having trouble breathing is just a symptom of getting older, but these symptoms could be the first signs of lung damage, including asthma and lung cancer.
Knowing the early warning signs of lung damage can help you receive treatment and recover before the damage becomes severe or even life-threatening. If you experience any of the following warning signs, make an appointment with your healthcare provider as soon as possible because early detection could help save your life.
Chronic Cough
A cough that you have had for eight weeks or longer is considered a chronic cough.
A persistent cough is an early symptom that should alert you that something is wrong with your respiratory system.
If you are coughing up blood, it may be coming from within your lungs or upper respiratory tract.
Wherever the blood is coming from, coughing up blood is a sign of a health problem.
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Trouble Breathing or Shortness of Breath
It’s not normal to experience shortness of breath unless you are exercising.
Labored or difficult breathing is a warning sign of lung damage.
Noisy breathing or wheezing is also a sign that something unusual is blocking your lungs’ airways or making them too narrow.
