8 Early Warning Signs Your Lung May Not Be Healthy

Suddenly have a persistent, severe cough that just won’t stop? You thought it was just a simple respiratory infection but keep coughing up blood? What may seem like a no-big-deal could actually be signs of much more serious disease. More than 16.4 million people around the world have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and 3 million die from it each year, but millions more may have the disease without even knowing it. Most lung cancers cause only minor symptoms until they have spread. Paying attention to the abnormal that are happening to you is crucial to catch them before everything’s too late! Here are most common 10 warning signs notifying unhealthy lungs. If you experience any, get them checked.

1. Long-term chest pain

Any pain in the chest area that lasts longer than a month can signify a sign of a serious lung condition, such as lung disease. Moreover, if you likely feel a sharp pain when you breathe, cough, or sneeze, it may also be the sign of lung disease. In general, a long-term deep chest pain could be the cased by the lung infection. If you feel any chest pain, ranging from a sharp stab to a dull ache, crushing or burning, and then radiates to the back or down one or both arms, seek immediate medical help.

2. Excessive mucus

If you have a lot of mucus in your throat or chest that lingers for a month or longer, be cautious - this could signal lung disease. According to the American Lung Association, mucus is produced by the airways as a defense against infections or irritants. If you have excessive mucus production, consult the doctor.

3. Wheezing

Wheezing is the shrill, coarse whistling or rattling sound your breath. Noisy breathing or wheezing is not just a symptom of being out of shape. It’s usually a sign when your lungs’ airway become inflamed or blocked because they are infected, irritated, or damaged. See a doctor when you have serious wheezing.

4. Persistent coughing

While it is a normal reflex for a cough to last for a couple of weeks due to common flu, having a severe, persistent cough could mean that something serious is occurring in your lungs. Be on alert for a persistent and severe cough that won’t go away.

5. Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath is a tight feeling in your chest where you may not be able to take air into your lungs like normally. The most common cause of it is lung disease. If breathing problems persist, they can lead to low oxygen levels in the blood, and this can soon become a life-threatening emergency.

6. A bloody cough

Blood in a cough could come from the lungs or upper respiratory tract. No matter where it comes from, a bloody cough is a sign of a health problem, and possibly a serious one.

7. Fingernails that look blue

Blue fingernails can be a sign of inadequate amount of oxygen circulating throughout the blood for our body to function well. This ailment is a sign your lungs may not be healthy as it can be caused by various lung disease. If you’ve noticed that your nails may look a little bluer than usual, consult the doctor.

8. Voice become hoarse

If your voice change and sounds deeper, hoarse, or raspier, it’s about time to reach out to your doctor. It often happens when your lungs are not able to strongly exhale due to lack of strength or air. A simple cold can cause hoarseness, but this symptom may point to something more serious when it persists.