7 Signs Your Lungs Are in the Danger Zone

By Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editor

We hear a lot about the risks of lung cancer — but less about a lung condition that’s just as common and debilitating, called COPD. This term, which stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, refers to a combination of two conditions, emphysema and chronic obstructive bronchitis, both of which are caused by lung damage from smoking or exposure to other lung irritants, such as asbestos. Whether you’re a smoker, a former smoker, or just unlucky, you can develop COPD as a result of damage to your lungs that gradually limits their ability to take in oxygen.

When your lungs aren’t functioning at full capacity, symptoms begin to appear that are sometimes so subtle that you may not recognize them as such. And because COPD is a progressive disease that can’t be slowed without treatment — and because it’s the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. — it’s critical to catch it as soon as possible. Here, seven signs that your lungs are trying to tell you they’re in trouble.

1. Shortness of breath

“Many people start to experience shortness of breath, and they just think ‘I’m old, I’m out of shape,’ and they don’t do anything about it other than cutting back their activity level,” says Byron Thomashow, a physician and professor at Columbia University Medical Center and chairman of the board of the COPD Foundation. “Then when you have shortness of breath just getting to the bathroom, all of a sudden you take notice.”

The problem with this, Thomashow says, is that the lung damage that constitutes COPD can’t be reversed; all you can do is halt or slow the progression of the disease. And if you don’t start treating it until you’re already out of breath just walking around the house, you’ve got a lot less to work with. Not only that, but cutting back is the last thing you want to do to prevent COPD progression; maintaining and even increasing your activity level is key to keeping the lung function that you have.

One thing to look for: When you’re climbing steps or exercising, do you have trouble inhaling a deep breath? An even more telltale sign: Do you take the elevator instead of the stairs to avoid this feeling? Experiment with different activities to see if you have shortness of breath when you increase your level of exertion, and note if there have been any changes over time. “I ask people, how’s your breathing compared to last year — can you do what you used to do a year ago?” says Thomashow. If you feel your ability to draw a deep breath is declining, ask your doctor to perform lung function tests to give you a clear picture of your lung health.

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Breathing Trouble? 7 Signs Your Lungs Are in the Danger Zone originally appeared on Caring.com

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Bonnie M.

5:07PM PDT on May 8, 2012

Was diagnosed with COPD in my late sixties. There are lung / breathing exercises that help alleviate the shortness of breath. Yes, some days are worst than others- breathing can get difficult. But- the condition should not stop one from having a life. It has been three years, and I still do things I love like gardening. Long walks in airport leaves me out of breath- just need to stop and catch my breath. It is important to take prescribed medications religiously - a must.

send a green star

Eternal G.

6:29PM PDT on Apr 2, 2012

Thanks for the information on this...

Carol Ann O.

8:38AM PDT on Mar 25, 2012

Blue lips and fingertips are the last and most dangerous signs. An oxcimeter will tell you the ratio of O2 that your body is actuallly utilizing.. Normal is between 96 / 100%. About $50 to $100 at big box stores.

Daria W.

8:28AM PDT on Mar 23, 2012

My area has coal fired power plants that provide 'clean' energy for CA. COPD is rampant here so CA can have as much electricity as they want and New Mexicans can pay the price. I'm getting real tired of CA claiming to be green while they cause suffering elsewhere to obtain the water and power they waste, sigh.

bharathi A.

4:47PM PDT on Mar 15, 2012

Noted. Thanks for posting.

4:46PM PDT on Mar 15, 2012