Have you ever woken up in the morning and said, “My chest hurts, and it has been hurting all week”? One explanation may be something you can't easily come back from.
In this article, we will discuss one particular cause of chest pain that should cause you concern. By the end, you will be able to understand your aches and pains better and how to relieve them.
What Your Chest Pain Might Suggest
Chest pains are a symptom of lung cancer and could signify things to come. We all like to use the “wait and see” method with our bodies, but lung cancer is no joke.
If you're feeling tightness in your chest, see a doctor immediately if it doesn't subside in about 2 or 3 days. You'll be glad you did if symptoms worsen and you start coughing up blood.
Lung cancer affects 50% of Black Americans per 100,000 people diagnosed. That is a staggering statistic, so you should get a doctor to check you out just in case.
RELATED: Is Your Chest Pain Cause for Concern?
What Does Having Lung Cancer Feel Like?
The biggest red flags you should look out for when you have nagging chest pain are:
- Painful coughing
- Blood and phlegm
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
Now we know what you're going to say: “But I always feel tired; that's nothing new.” However, you should consider looking at your health if you're not only constantly tired, but are also having breathing troubles that worsen when you laugh or sneeze.
That's one of the most unfortunate parts of lung cancer. It often feels like an everyday illness until you find out it's not. Many people feel they can just tough it out, and think it will go away in the morning, causing them to lose valuable time.
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Are There Any Other Signs I Should Look Out For?
Let's say you don't see any of the big red flags we mentioned earlier. There are still some signs that you should look out for. Consider going to the doctor if you experience:
- Sudden rapid weight loss
- A weird loss of appetite
- Uncomfortable wheezing
- An annoying tickle in your throat
These aren't the worst symptoms you can experience with any Illness, but they still tell an important story. That story is that your body may be under attack by some renegade cells, which could spread fast.
Given today's medical options, you won't even need to have a full-blown visit. You can easily call your doctor up on the phone and tell him about what you’re feeling, and they can either prescribe you some medications or advise you on what to look out for in the future.
Detecting lung cancer early is the key to survival, so any signs you catch could lead to a major win. Experts say that your chances of living past five years increase to 60% if you detect the illness during its first stage.
RELATED: Where Does It Hurt? What Your Chest Pain Means
How You Can Ease Your Symptoms
Nobody wants to be in constant pain, especially when the pain negatively affects their breathing. As an athlete, whenever I have a shortness of breath attack, it feels like I'm that much closer to death.
With that in mind, we're going to suggest some helpful tips that you can use to ease your chest aches. The next time the pain in your chest is too much to bear, try:
- Tai chi
- Yoga
- Medications like Advil
- Massage
- Hypnotherapy
- Green tea
A pleasant massage or relaxing yoga session can go a long way in making you feel better during tough times. If that's not enough, you have oral medicinal options such as green tea.
