There are several different kinds of symptoms associated with lung cancer. You may feel the presence of these symptoms but not be able to recognize them as lung cancer. To detect lung cancer, your doctor may perform a physical examination and a medical history. He may ask you questions about how long you’ve been smoking and the amount of tobacco used. He may also ask about certain chemicals you’ve been exposed to. During a lung cancer screening, your doctor may listen to your lungs with a stethoscope and check for fluid in the region. If the fluid is present, you’re most likely suffering from lung cancer.
Coughing is the most common lung cancer symptom. Some people may dismiss their cough as an allergy or a result of an unhealthy lifestyle. However, if your cough doesn’t disappear after several weeks, it could be a sign of lung cancer. Symptoms of lung cancer may include weight loss, shortnessshortness of breath, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should contact a healthcare professional right away to have your symptoms evaluated.
In addition to the above-mentioned symptoms, lung cancer may also cause complications. Tumors in the upper right lung can encroach on the superior vena cava, which carries blood from the head to the heart. If this happens, blood can back up into the veins, which can be life-threatening. In addition to chronic coughing, lung cancer can also interfere with your vocal cords, causing a raspy voice and chest pain.
When a tumor releases the hormone ADH, the body can react by secreting SIADH, which causes the kidneys to hold water. This reduces the amount of sodium in your blood. Other symptoms of SIADH include muscle weakness and fatigue. In some cases, a tumor may cause the over-secretion of PTHrP, a hormone that helps regulate the body’s sodium levels. In such cases, your doctor may want to take you to a hospital for tests.
As with any other cancer, treatment options vary, so it’s important to understand what to expect during the treatment process. Your doctor may prescribe medications, surgery, or a combination of treatments, depending on the type and stage of your lung cancer. Most treatments, however, don’t cure lung cancer. The best thing to do if you have symptoms of lung cancer is to quit smoking. The earlier you begin treatment, the sooner the symptoms will respond to your treatments.
Typical lung cancer symptoms include persistent cough, shortness of breath, and blood in the mucus. You may also have back or shoulder pain. While these symptoms vary according to age and gender, you can seek medical help to discover and treat the disease as early as possible. Remember, lung cancer can be cured if detected and treated early. You should also seek the help of a medical professional if you have a persistent cough or other symptoms of lung cancer.
