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Signs and Symptoms of Pulmonary Disease

According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the average person breathes approximately 25,000 times a day. Pulmonary disease can make those breaths increasingly difficult to take and affects millions of Americans. There are nearly 40 different types of pulmonary disease, all of which share six common warning signs and symptoms: chronic cough, bloody sputum, chronic mucus production, shortness of breath, wheezing and chronic chest pain.

  1. Chronic Cough

    • A chronic cough, according to the Mayo Clinic, lasts for eight weeks or longer. The cough may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing up blood or a runny nose. A lingering cough, particularly one which disrupts your sleep or work or is accompanied by blood, is a sign of pulmonary disease or other medical conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease.

    Bloody Sputum

    • Coughing up blood, a condition known as hemoptysis, is a sign of possible pulmonary disease or a problem with the upper respiratory tract. The blood may appear pink and frothy, bright red or combined with mucus. Small amounts of blood-tinged sputum are not abnormal; however, frequently coughing up blood or coughing up a lot of blood is cause for concern.

    Chronic Mucus Production

    • The human body normally produces mucus, or phlegm, as an immune response. It is the body's means of defending the airways against irritants or infections. Chronic mucus production, or having mucus for longer than one month, may be indicative of a serious pulmonary condition.

    Shortness of Breath

    • Experiencing small amounts of shortness of breath, during strenuous exercise, is normal. However, dyspnea, the medical term for "shortness of breath," which does not go away or is experienced during periods of little or no activity is not normal. According to the Mayo Clinic, the sensation varies but is commonly described as intense tightness in the chest or a feeling of suffocation. Having trouble breathing or prolonged periods of dyspnea are warning signs of pulmonary disease.

    Wheezing

    • Wheezing is characterized by an abnormal whistling sound which occurs while exhaling. Wheezing is caused by narrowing of the airways, which may indicate something blocking the airways or inflammation. According to the Mayo Clinic, asthma is the most common condition associated with wheezing although it may be a sign of other conditions.

    Chest Pain

    • Chest pain can indicate a variety of conditions and is most commonly associated with a heart attack. Chest pain that becomes worse with breathing or coughing, and lasts for one month or longer may be a warning sign of pulmonary disease.

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