General Lung Health
Regularly check your lungs using the Lung Foundation Australia's Lung Health Check – though not a diagnostic test, it will help you recognise if you need to speak to your GP about your lung health. Some of the questions include:
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Do you have a new, persistent or changed cough?
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Do you cough up mucus, phlegm or blood?
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Do you get breathless more easily than others your age?
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Do you experience chest tightness or wheeze?
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Do you have frequent chest infections?
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Do you experience chest pain, fatigue and sudden weight loss?
If you answered yes to any of the questions, your lung health could be at risk, do talk to your GP about your Lung Health and ask him/her to perform a diagnostic test for you.
Asthma
Asthma is a long-term lung condition. People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs which react to triggers, causing a ‘flare-up’. In a flare-up, the muscles around the airway squeeze tight, the airways swell and become narrow and there is more mucus. These things make it harder to breathe.
Symptoms of Asthma
A person’s asthma symptoms can vary over time – sometimes they will have no symptoms, especially when their asthma is well-controlled. Symptoms often vary from person to person, but they are most commonly:
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breathlessness
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wheezing
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tight feeling in the chest
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continuing cough
Symptoms often occur at night, early in the morning or during/just after activity. They are caused by the narrowing of the airways.
If your asthma is well controlled, you should only have occasional asthma symptoms.
If you have symptoms regularly, you should see your doctor or visit Asthma Foundation's Controlling Asthma webpage.
COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-term disease of the lungs which causes shortness of breath. It is an umbrella term for a group of airway diseases that includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma. Some of the symptoms include:
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Shortness of breath on minimal exertion
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A repetitive cough which may have phlegm or mucus
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Symptoms creep up gradually and the decline in quality of life and function continues until simple daily activities like showering, dressing or making a cup of tea, become almost impossible.
While there is no cure, there are things that you can do to breathe easier and to improve your quality of life. These include joining a pulmonary rehabilitation program and talking to your GP about having a personalised COPD plan. More information about the COPD action plan and pulmonary rehabilitation program can be found below.
For more information on lung diseases and COPD, visit Lung Foundation Australia's website.
COPD Action Plan
It is recommended that everyone with COPD should have a written COPD Action Plan. A COPD Action Plan will give you a set of instructions on how to tell when your COPD is getting worse, and what to do about it. Ask your GP or nurse to develop a personalised COPD Action Plan for you. Read more about the COPD Action Plan on the Lung Foundation Australia website here.
*Note that a COPD diagnosis should be confirmed by spirometry, consult your GP for more information about this.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a comprehensive program for people with a chronic lung disease who have symptoms of breathlessness and a decreased ability to perform the activities of daily life.
Some benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation:
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Reduced breathlessness
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Improved quality of life
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Improved knowledge of lung condition
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Increased participation in everyday activities
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and much more
Whether you are living with a mild, moderate or severe stage of COPD, it is vital to be linked into an appropriate exercise program.
For more information about pulmonary rehabilitation programs, read the Lung Foundation Australia's Pulmonary Rehabilitation Fact Sheet
For a full list of pulmonary rehabilitation and exercise maintenance programs in the northern Adelaide region, view the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Listing. Each listing includes information on location, program details, waiting times, costs, criteria for admission and contact details.
If you are concerned about your lung health, talk to your GP or call Lung Foundation Australia on 1800 654 301 (Toll free). Alternatively, visit the Lung Foundation Australia website.
Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women in Australia. There are more than 9,700 new cases diagnosed each year. Lung cancer is usually diagnosed in people who smoke or have ever smoked. Occupational exposure to asbestos, radon, hydrocarbons and metals is also associated with lung cancer. The symptoms for lung cancer can vary, however Lung Foundation Australia recommends having the following symptoms checked by your GP:
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A persistent chest infection (or a cough that doesn’t go away) or if you have asthma, COPD or allergies that predispose you to a cough, you may develop a new or changed cough or wheeze;
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You may notice you’ve begun coughing up a small amount of blood or the phlegm is streaked with blood (known as haemoptysis);
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Breathlessness or a shortness of breath with activity;
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Repeated bouts of pneumonia or bronchitis;
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Weight loss;
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Metastases (or the spread of disease, such as infection or cancer, from one organ to another); and
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Low energy levels (fatigue)
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You also may be experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, hoarseness or wheezing, difficulty swallowing, or abdominal and joint pain.
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Having any one of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have cancer. Some of these symptoms may be caused by other conditions or be side effects of smoking.
Remember to talk to your GP to have your symptoms checked out. Lung cancer is often discovered when it’s advanced and may be detected during routine tests.
*Based on information provided by Lung Foundation Australia – Better Living with Lung Cancer
Resources
Lung health support resources & services available to you.
Lung Foundation Australia Information & Patient Support
Call 1800 654 301 or visit the Lung Foundation Australia website
Asthma Foundation SA
Call 1800 278 462 (1800 ASTHMA) or visit Asthma Foundation SA's website
National Asthma Council Australia
Visit National Asthma Council Australia's website
Cancer Council SA Quitline
Call 13 78 48 or visit Quitline's website
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