Cough that lasts for more than three weeks could be lung cancer, know its symptoms from a doctor…

New Delhi:- Your lungs play a vital role in supplying oxygen to your body, which is essential for its proper functioning. To maintain lung health, it is important to avoid smoking, as tobacco smoke significantly increases the risk of lung diseases such as COPD and lung cancer. Additionally, exposure to polluted air can cause inflammation in the respiratory system, leading to conditions like asthma and bronchitis.

It is important to protect your lungs from harmful pollutants and chronic respiratory diseases through good hygiene and vaccination. Studies show that both smoking and breathing polluted air can impair lung function. Unfortunately, poor lung health can arise from a variety of factors.

Lung cancer patients are continuously increasing due to air pollution in India.
According to Dr. Sudha Kansal, Senior Consultant in Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, working at Apollo Hospital Indraprastha, especially in North India, air pollution has increased so much that the cases of lung cancer among people have increased by 5 times, while COPD and There has been an increase in cases of respiratory diseases like asthma.

increasing pollution in the environment

Experts say smoking, pollution and chronic respiratory diseases can all harm the health of your lungs. Exposure to tobacco smoke significantly increases the risk of lung damage, while prolonged breathing of polluted air can cause chronic inflammation in the respiratory system. For this it is important to understand the initial symptoms…
According to senior consultant Dr. Sudha Kansal, these are the initial symptoms of lung cancer.

Persistent cough: A cough that lasts more than three weeks may be a sign of a serious problem, even with medication or lifestyle changes. Although it's often linked to respiratory infections or minor conditions, it can sometimes be caused by a lung infection. Can also be an early sign of cancer. If your cough gets worse, changes, or persists, consult a doctor immediately.

Coughing up blood: This happens when a person coughs up blood or blood-tinged mucus, no matter how large. Hemoptysis can range from rust-colored mucus to visible blood spots and may be a sign of damage to the lungs caused by a variety of conditions. Early detection through imaging and diagnostic tests such as CT scan or bronchoscopy is important to identify the underlying cause and ensure appropriate treatment.

Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath during simple activities or exercise can be a sign of lung problems, including lung cancer. Tumors can narrow the airways or cause fluid to build up around the lungs, limiting their ability to spread. If you have trouble breathing or it appears to be worsening, it is important to consult a doctor immediately.
Unexplained weight loss: Weight loss without changes in diet or exercise indicates that the body is using stored energy to nourish cancer cells. Cancer can affect metabolism, leading to rapid weight loss. This symptom is often associated with anorexia and asthenia and requires further medical investigation.

Chest pain: Lung cancer can cause persistent or sudden severe chest pain, which may worsen with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing. This pain is often caused by the pressure of the tumor on bones, muscles, nerves or other structures in the chest cavity. If chest pain intensifies, becomes localized, or arises for no apparent reason, it is important to seek medical help.

Chronic respiratory disease: Inability to clear lung secretions, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, or frequent respiratory infections that do not resolve or recur may be symptoms of obstructive lung cancer. Any chronic lung infection or infection that does not respond to treatment should be reviewed for possible underlying malignancy.

Hoarseness or voice changes: Inability to maintain a clear voice, as well as symptoms such as lumps, hoarseness, changes in tone, or difficulty speaking, may be caused by a tumor pressing on the vocal cords or the recurrent laryngeal nerve. While infections such as laryngitis can cause voice changes, if these changes persist for more than two weeks without improvement, further diagnosis is necessary.

Fatigue: Feeling tired constantly, without any reason, is another early symptom of lung cancer. Cancer affects the body's energy metabolism and causes inflammation in the tissues. This persistent fatigue, especially when accompanied by other worrying symptoms, recommends a thorough evaluation by a doctor.

Early diagnosis and treatment

Early detection of lung cancer increases the chances of successful treatment and better outcomes. Senior Consultant Dr Sudha Kansal says that if detected early, lung cancer can be treated with surgery, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, so that more serious stages can be prevented, she further said that in the treatment Progress has made treatment more effective and personal. For advanced cases, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are still useful, either alone or in combination with other treatments. Palliative care is also important in severe cases, helping to improve quality of life by relieving pain, breathlessness, and fatigue. Does.

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