5 Common Symptoms of Respiratory Disease

by Jarrett Webster

You might think that a cough you’ve had for a while isn’t anything to worry about, but lung irritations could be a sign of respiratory disease.

Respiratory diseases encompass many different breathing conditions and are quite common in the United States. It’s important to understand what symptoms are normal and when it’s time to see a doctor.

Keep reading to learn more about these diseases and their symptoms. 

Common Respiratory Diseases

  • COVID-19 – The novel coronavirus swept across the world in 2019, causing an international pandemic. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that is transmitted from lung droplets. Most people can recover from COVID-19, but it can be hazardous to the elderly population and immunocompromised.
  • Pneumonia – This is a fairly common disease caused by an infection in the lungs’ air sacs. Just like COVID-19, most people can recover from pneumonia in a couple of weeks, but it can have dangerous effects on the vulnerable population.
  • Asthma – Asthma is another common respiratory disease that makes it difficult to breathe due to inflammation in the airways. This condition is chronic and typically begins in childhood and continues through adulthood.
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – Also known as COPD, it’s an umbrella term accompanying many long-term respiratory ailments. According to the American Lung Association, COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States.
  • Emphysema – Emphysema is one of the conditions that fall under the COPD umbrella. This disease makes it difficult to exhale air from the lungs and is generally caused by smoking. Unfortunately, emphysema is a chronic ailment that currently has no cure.

Symptoms of Respiratory Disease

Now that you know more about different types of respiratory disease, here are five of the most common symptoms to be aware of:

  1. Chronic cough – Most people experience a prolonged cough before receiving a diagnosis. Even though a cough doesn’t usually stop people from living their everyday life, a chronic cough lasting eight or more weeks isn’t something to ignore.
  2. Wheezing – Noisy breathing is a sign that something is interrupting the airflow to and from your lungs. See a healthcare professional if you notice any level of wheezing.
  3. Shortness of breath – If you experience shortness of breath or labored breathing without physical exertion, this is a major red flag of respiratory disease that shouldn’t be overlooked.
  4. Chronic chest pain – If you have been experiencing chest pain for more than a month, this could be a warning sign that something more serious is at play.
  5. Coughing up blood – This is an obvious sign that something is wrong. If you are coughing up blood, it might be coming from your lungs, and medical attention is urgent.

O2 Assist Can Help You Manage Your Respiratory Disease

Now that you know more about these types of respiratory disease, you should make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your options. Next, visit O2 Assist for the latest technology for oxygen therapy. We have clinical consultants ready to work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan using our oxygen concentrators. Even before you purchase your concentrator, you can quickly get in touch with us using our 24-hour online chat or contact us over the phone or via email.

Shop our extensive collection of oxygen concentrators that can be shipped anywhere in the United States today!

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