Dr. Eboni Green
December 15, 2022
Respiratory disorders are the third cause of death (after heart disease and cancers). Smoking, asbestos exposure, outdoor pollution, allergies, and mold exposure are some of the greatest risk factors.
You can develop a respiratory disease at any age, although the risk is greater as you age. Usually, chronic respiratory disease can develop gradually over decades, it is not uncommon for individuals to suddenly develop an acute respiratory infection. In either case, it’s important to spot the signs early – there may be lifestyle changes, medicines, and operations that you can invest in to help treat the disease and stop it progressing.
Just what are some of the signs of a respiratory disease? This article outlines symptoms of respiratory disease, including what you might report to the doctor.
Do you find you are out of breath? If you haven’t gained any weight, a respiratory disease could be to blame. Inability to walk long distances or carry heavy items for long without feeling breathless is a common sign of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). More random bouts of breathlessness when not doing anything physical could be a sign of an allergy.
It’s worth noting that shortness of breath can also relate to heart problems. Should you find you are out of breath you will want to reach out to the doctor.
On top of having labored breathing, you may find you are making wheezing noises. This is typically caused by airways being narrowed or blocked with mucus.
Wheezing is usually a sign that breathlessness is more than just physical exertion. Inhalers can usually help open up airways to reduce wheezing.
Lingering chest pain or it hurts to breathe, this could be another sign of respiratory disease.
Pain that occurs gradually is often due to inflammation – which could be indicative of an infection or a growth in the chest or lungs. It’s worth being checked out by a doctor as soon as you can. If pain in lungs comes on suddenly and is on one side, it could require more urgent treatment as it could be a collapsed lung.
Not getting enough oxygen into your body can make you feel more tired than usual. You may feel that you don’t have the motivation to take on many physical tasks that were once easy to motivate yourself into doing. You may even feel like taking more frequent naps or sleeping in longer.
Such fatigue can be attributed to all kinds of causes by itself. However, if it’s accompanied by shortness of breath and chest pain, it’s likely caused by a respiratory problem such a COPD.
If your lips turn blue, it is a sign of cyanosis – which means that you don’t have enough oxygen in your blood. This can either be due to a lung problem or heart failure.
Other parts of the body such as the fingertips and toes may also turn blue if you are not getting enough oxygen into your blood, however the lips are typically the most telltale sign. If your lips are blue, it is important that you see a doctor as soon as you can.
Do you have a persistent cough? If the answer is yes, this is usually an attempt to rid mucus, other fluids, or foreign objects from our lungs.
A mild cough on its own is usually nothing to worry about. However, if you experience breathlessness, pain while coughing, or you are coughing up blood, you should seek out medical advice as soon as possible.
Swollen fingertips on their own could be related to conditions like arthritis or excess salt levels. However, if your fingers are swollen, accompanied by breathlessness, a bluish complexion or chest pain, then a respiratory disease could be the cause.
Swelling is often a sign of severe COPD – you may also experience it in other areas such as the legs, arms, and feet. Respiratory diseases like mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure can also cause swelling of extremities – you can find free resources on this condition here.
Do you constantly keep getting diagnosed with chest infections? An underlying lung problem could be making you more susceptible.
Smokers and those who are in contact with allergens or pollutants are more likely to experience frequent chest infections. Due to structural changes in the lungs, it can become harder to naturally expel bacteria or viruses, allowing them to thrive and turn into infections. Having larger lungs, not doing enough exercise, and constantly being stressed can also put you at greater risk of developing frequent chest infections.
