AnswersDriveA cough associated with a cold or respiratory infection will go away in a week or two, but a persistent cough that lingers can be a symptom of lung cancer. Don't be tempted to dismiss a stubborn cough, whether it's dry or produces mucus.
What is persistent cough a symptom of?
Dozens of conditions can cause a recurrent, lingering cough, but the lion's share are caused by just five: postnasal drip, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic bronchitis, and treatment with ACE inhibitors, used for high blood pressure. The major causes of long-term coughing are listed below.
What does it mean when you cough a lot?
Postnasal drip. Sounds like: Either a dry or wet cough. It's caused by mucus dripping down your throat (due to either allergies or a cold), which tickles nerve endings, triggering coughing, Dr. Parsons says.
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What is a cancer cough?
Sometimes the cough produces mucus, blood, or tissue. Many cancer symptoms are interrelated, occurring in clusters because they have common or interactive mechanisms. In cancer patients, cough often occurs with other aerodigestive symptoms, including dysphagia, dyspnea, hoarseness, and wheezing. 4,6. Management.
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Where does lung cancer spread to first?
Lung cancer can spread to nearly any region of the body, but the most common areas are the lymph nodes, liver, bones, brain, and adrenal glands. Let's take a look at each of these areas separately. Most lung cancers first spread to lymph nodes in the chest near the tumor.
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How long does it take for a lung cancer tumor to grow?
That is the smallest size likely to be seen on an X-ray. It takes about three to six months for most lung cancers to double their size. Therefore, it could take several years for a typical lung cancer to reach a size at which it could be diagnosed on a chest X-ray.
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What is a lung cancer cough?
Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are: A cough that does not go away or gets worse. Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm) Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing.
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Is coughing up phlegm a sign of lung cancer?
The signs and symptoms of lung cancer can take years to develop and they may not appear until the disease is advanced. Symptoms of lung cancer that are in the chest: Recurrent lung problems, such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Coughing up phlegm or mucus, especially if it is tinged with blood.
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What can cause a persistent cough?
Causes of chronic cough
- postnasal drip.
- asthma, especially cough-variant asthma, which causes a cough as the main symptom.
- acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- chronic bronchitis or other forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- infections, such as pneumonia or acute bronchitis.
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How do you detect lung cancer early?
An X-ray image of your lungs may reveal an abnormal mass or nodule. A CT scan can reveal small lesions in your lungs that might not be detected on an X-ray. Sputum cytology. If you have a cough and are producing sputum, looking at the sputum under the microscope can sometimes reveal the presence of lung cancer cells.
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Is coughing a sign of throat cancer?
At your appointment, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. If you've been experiencing symptoms such as a sore throat, hoarseness, and persistent cough with no improvement and no other explanation, they may suspect throat cancer.
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How can I get rid of smokers cough?
Treating smoker's cough
- Soothe your throat with cough drops, lozenges, or a salt water gargle.
- Drink 6–8 glasses of water per day to keep the mucus in your lungs and throat thin.
- Elevate your head above the rest of your body while you sleep to make sure mucus doesn't gather in your throat.
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How do you know if you have lung problems?
The coughing may or may not produce sticky, slimy mucus. COPD can also cause wheezing. These problems develop slowly and get worse over time. If you have shortness of breath, wheezing, or other problems breathing, your doctor will be able to tell if you have COPD, asthma, or another condition.
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Is Lung cancer is curable?
These cancers can't be removed completely by surgery. As with other stages of lung cancer, treatment depends on the patient's overall health. If you are in fairly good health you may be helped by chemotherapy (chemo) combined with radiation therapy. Some people can even be cured with this treatment.
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Who is most affected by lung cancer?
Lung cancer can affect anyone. However, it occurs most commonly in people who smoke cigarettes. Others at risk include people who are exposed to secondhand smoke or those who have environmental risk factors, such as exposure to radon gas, asbestos, arsenic, silica, and chromium.
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What are the symptoms of cancer of the throat?
Signs and symptoms of throat cancer may include:
- A cough.
- Changes in your voice, such as hoarseness or not speaking clearly.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Ear pain.
- A lump or sore that doesn't heal.
- A sore throat.
- Weight loss.
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What are the symptoms of a lung infection?
Symptoms include:
- Fast or difficult breathing.
- Coughing with brown or green-coloured phlegm.
- Fever (sweating, shivering, chills)
- Feeling unwell.
- Blue colour around the lips (cyanosis)
- Stomach pain.
- Chest pain.
- Headaches.
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What is meant by a persistent cough?
A persistent cough is defined as a cough that persists for a period of eight weeks or longer. The cough may be dry or productive, in other words, you may or many not cough up mucus (sputum). An "acute" cough, in contrast, refers to a cough that lasts less than eight weeks, such as those that occur with the common cold.
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What is the most common treatment for lung cancer?
People with non-small cell lung cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these treatments. People with small cell lung cancer are usually treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Surgery.
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How many cigarettes does it take to cause cancer?
Each cigarette can damage DNA in many lung cells, but it is the build up of damage in the same cell that can lead to cancer. However research has shown that for every 15 cigarettes smoked there is a DNA change which could cause a cell to become cancerous.
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How is the body affected by lung cancer?
Lung cancer starts when abnormal cells grow out of control in the lung. They can invade nearby tissues and form tumours. Lung cancer can start anywhere in the lungs and affect any part of the respiratory system. The cancer cells can spread, or metastasize, to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.
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How many stages are there for lung cancer?
The stage of a cancer describes its size, position and whether it has spread. The number staging system, which can be used for small cell and non-small cell lung cancer divides cancer into four stages: Stage 1 – the cancer is still inside the lung (localised) and hasn't spread to the lymph nodes.