2. Shortness of Breath: The Hidden Danger
Ah, the dreaded shortness of breath. Imagine climbing a flight of stairs only to find yourself gasping for air. You might attribute this to age or lack of fitness, but when it comes to lung cancer, there’s more to the story. Shortness of breath is your body’s way of saying it’s not getting enough oxygen. This could be because the cancer is creating an obstruction, making it hard for air to flow freely.
What’s worse, this symptom often doesn’t make its appearance until the cancer has advanced. You might not notice it when you’re sitting down or at rest. But engage in physical activity, and it becomes glaringly obvious. Even the simple act of walking from your car to the supermarket can become a daunting task.
Now let’s talk triggers. For some people, shortness of breath only happens during certain activities or at specific times of day. This is particularly disturbing because it can lead to a decline in activity levels, contributing to a vicious cycle of worsening health. You may start avoiding activities you once enjoyed due to the struggle to breathe, further impacting your quality of life.
Contrary to what you might think, shortness of breath doesn’t always come alone. It often brings along a host of accompanying symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, or even fainting spells. The cumulative impact of these symptoms can be both mentally and physically exhausting. (2)
