The lungs are the body's key respiratory organs and can be seen as the "commanders" of respiratory function. So, how do we know if the lungs are healthy? In fact, once the lungs are abnormal, the body will send out five warning signals in advance. The following five signs should be well understood, once any of the signs are found, it may be a sign of lung problems, and a medical examination is required as soon as possible to check for potential lesions.
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There are lesions in the lungs
5 abnormal signals will be released in advance
When there is a problem with the lungs, the body may appear early with the following five abnormal signals:
Persistent cough
If the cough persists, especially dry, and doesn't improve significantly with regular medications, it may be a sign of lung disease.
dyspnea
Difficulty breathing, especially after activity or at rest, may be a sign of impaired lung function.
hemoptysis
A blood-streaked cough or blood in the sputum may be a sign of a lung lesion, such as tuberculosis or lung cancer.
Chest pain
Persistent or occasional pain in the chest, especially worsening with deep breathing or coughing, can be a sign of a lung disorder, such as pneumonia or pulmonary embolism.
Weight lowering
Weight loss for no apparent reason, especially if accompanied by the above symptoms, can be a symptom of a serious lung disease such as lung cancer.
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What tests to do if you have lung disease
Chest X-ray
This is the basic means of screening for lung diseases, which can observe whether the lung structure is normal and whether there are lesions such as inflammation and tumors.
Chest CT scan
CT provides more detailed images of the lungs than X-rays and is more sensitive for detecting small lesions, diffuse lung disease, and subtle changes in lung structure. Chest CT has important value in diagnosing lung cancer, lung infection, and interstitial lung disease.
Blood tests
Certain abnormalities in the blood may indicate the presence of lung disease, such as elevated serum tumor markers may be associated with lung cancer and elevated inflammatory markers may be associated with infectious disease.
Sputum examination
By analyzing the color, nature, and cellular composition of sputum, it is possible to determine whether there is a lung infection or other diseases.
Bronchoscopy
For suspected central lung cancer, bronchoscopy can directly observe the lesions in the bronchi, and tissue can be taken for pathological examination.
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How to protect your lung health
Stay away from tobacco
Smoking is one of the leading causes of various lung diseases, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma. Staying away from tobacco, including e-cigarettes, is the number one measure to protect your lung health.
Avoid air pollution
Minimize the amount of time spent in highly polluted environments. Use an air purifier to improve indoor air quality.
Regular medical check-ups
As mentioned earlier, take regular chest X-rays and lung function tests, especially for high-risk groups such as long-term smokers, those exposed to harmful substances, etc.
Exercise moderately
Moderate physical activity can strengthen physical fitness, improve immunity, and contribute to lung health.
Manage chronic conditions
If you have a chronic condition like COPD, asthma, make sure to follow your doctor's advice, use your medications correctly, and take other steps to manage your condition.
Manage emotional stress
Long-term stress and anxiety can affect the function of the immune system, so learning stress management techniques can also be beneficial for lung health.