Symptom 8: Breathing Difficulties: When Every Breath Becomes a Task
Breathing is an essential life process, often so automatic that we don’t give it a second thought. But what if it becomes difficult? What if every breath seems like an effort? This could be more than just a case of the jitters or feeling out of shape.
Breathing difficulties can be a symptom of throat cancer. The tumor might obstruct the airway, making it harder to breathe. You might find yourself getting out of breath doing activities that you could previously do without any issues.
It’s also worth noting that breathing difficulties can be accompanied by noisy breathing, like a high-pitched sound when you breathe in. This condition, known as stridor, can also be a sign of throat cancer, particularly if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like a persistent cough or voice changes.(8)