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I Have Been Having Issues Getting A Deep Breath The
Question: I have been having issues getting a deep breath the past month. I went to two doctors who listened to my lungs and said they were clear. I still feel anxious and like I cannot get a deep breath in. I am petrified it is lung cancer. I had two chest x rays 7 years ago for similar issues and they were clear. They started me on Lexapro three weeks ago and I am not sure if it is making it worse. The past two days when I spit in sink sometimes itll be blood tinged. I do not have a cough though.
hello?
Brief Answer:
Risk factors for lung cancer explained. LDCT is the best test screening method
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and also checked the uploaded image.
The picture shows color on the sputum but it does not seem clear if it is blood or not. I would advise you to spit in a white tissue next time for a better evaluation of the color of the sputum. Blood tinged sputum can be due to several conditions such as gingiva, nose or sinus problems and also lung problems.
Lung cancer may cause blood with sputum but generally, it comes up with a cough. In your case, because you do not bring bloody secretions up with cough it makes it more likely to be due to other causes such as gums, nose or sinuses.
Also, lung cancer is more likely in patients over 50 years of age that have smoked for 20 years or more and is very rare in other patients (not impossible though).
X-rays may detect lung cancer but generally, they are not very sensitive. It is a low dose CT scan of the lungs (LDCT) that is recommended to screen for lung cancer.
To conclude:
- There is not much information on your age, gender and if you smoke (even passive smoking) or are in contact with dust or other chemicals that may affect the lungs. This is all very information to evaluate your risk for lung cancer
- Men, 50 years old or more, smokers (passive smokers as well) and those that have worked in mines or areas with dust or that have a family history of lung cancer are at increased risk of lung cancer
- the colored secretions- it would be easier to evaluate them if you spit in a white color tissue. Because you do not have a cough and do not bring these secretions with cough, very likely they are due to the gums, nose or sinuses.
- Finally, if you would like to be tested for lung cancer, an X-ray is not highly sensitive for it but an LDCT (low dose CT scan) is recommended if you have risk factors for lung cancer (as mentioned above).
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Risk factors for lung cancer explained. LDCT is the best test screening method
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and also checked the uploaded image.
The picture shows color on the sputum but it does not seem clear if it is blood or not. I would advise you to spit in a white tissue next time for a better evaluation of the color of the sputum. Blood tinged sputum can be due to several conditions such as gingiva, nose or sinus problems and also lung problems.
Lung cancer may cause blood with sputum but generally, it comes up with a cough. In your case, because you do not bring bloody secretions up with cough it makes it more likely to be due to other causes such as gums, nose or sinuses.
Also, lung cancer is more likely in patients over 50 years of age that have smoked for 20 years or more and is very rare in other patients (not impossible though).
X-rays may detect lung cancer but generally, they are not very sensitive. It is a low dose CT scan of the lungs (LDCT) that is recommended to screen for lung cancer.
To conclude:
- There is not much information on your age, gender and if you smoke (even passive smoking) or are in contact with dust or other chemicals that may affect the lungs. This is all very information to evaluate your risk for lung cancer
- Men, 50 years old or more, smokers (passive smokers as well) and those that have worked in mines or areas with dust or that have a family history of lung cancer are at increased risk of lung cancer
- the colored secretions- it would be easier to evaluate them if you spit in a white color tissue. Because you do not have a cough and do not bring these secretions with cough, very likely they are due to the gums, nose or sinuses.
- Finally, if you would like to be tested for lung cancer, an X-ray is not highly sensitive for it but an LDCT (low dose CT scan) is recommended if you have risk factors for lung cancer (as mentioned above).
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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