Learn how to tell if you or someone you love suffers from common respiratory disease

Difficulty in breathing and coughing continuously should not be taken lightly. This is especially relevant these days as the world is suffering from Coronavirus, which is a lethal respiratory disease. Sometimes a symptom that apparently looks insignificant turns into a severe health condition. 

While rushing to the doctor due to a little cough and cold seems odd, knowing about the symptoms of common respiratory diseases helps to decide when to seek medical help. 

Some of the common respiratory diseases are Asthma, COPD, Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, Lung Cancer, Cystic Fibrosis/Bronchiectasis, Pneumonia, and Pleural Effusion.

According to The American Lung Association, the following are the warning signs and symptoms of common respiratory diseases:

Coughing Up Blood:

• It is as much a serious health problem as it sounds and is quite scary. In medical language, it is called hemoptysis. In this condition, the blood comes from the lungs or respiratory tract as a result of consistent cough.

It may be a symptom of respiratory disease. But, in any case, visiting a doctor immediately is an absolute must. A doctor will tell you the source and causes of coughing up blood. Medicine will be suggested after diagnosing the right cause and disease.

Chronic Chest Pain:

• Chest pain is always an alarming thing. But if it persists for a month or more, it might be a symptom of respiratory disease. Watch over if it gets worse while taking a breath or during a cough. If you experience chest pain, you must consult a doctor immediately. 

If chest pain causes difficulty in breathing, then it can be a sign of injury to the lungs or respiratory tracts. Many times chest pain because of respiratory problems feels like a heart attack.

Chest pain can cause shortness of breath, nausea, cold sweats, and light-headedness. Experiencing mild pain once in a while in the chest might not be a sign of a serious health condition but if it gets severe, then without delay, seek medical help.

Chronic Cough: 

• Chronic cough is a classic symptom of a common respiratory disease, but not every cough is chronic. If a cough lingers on for eight weeks or longer, it is considered a chronic cough. But this period of eight weeks is for adults only and for children this period is four weeks. 

It is an important warning sign of a respiratory problem that demands a medical check-up. Taking it as insignificant and avoiding the matter would do no good to your health. A quick visit to the doctor is recommended because it may turn into a lung disease or a severe heart cough.

Wheezing:

• Wheezing or noisy breathing is a symptom of a respiratory problem. It is usually related to the airways going to and from the lungs. When something blocks or obstructs these airways or makes them narrow, you feel difficulty in breathing. Your breaths become labored and noisy.

It is recommended to seek immediate medical help if you experience this symptom.

Difficulty In Breathing:

• Difficulty in breathing is a common symptom of asthma and other respiratory diseases. Whereas experiencing shortness of breath is normal during any physical activity or during exercise. 

However, it should not persist after exercising or when you are done with laborious physical work. If it still persists, it is an indicator of any underlying respiratory disease. Difficulty in breathing is a serious problem and needs a thorough check-up by a doctor.

Chronic Mucus Production:

• Mucus is a defense reaction of the body against infections or irritants. Respiratory airways produce mucus. But if it lingers on for a month or more, then it indicates a respiratory problem.

If you’re living in or near Arizona and feeling any of these symptoms, then pay a visit to the nearest office of Optima Medical for a quick examination.