Sore or Dizzy? See the Sneaky Symptoms of Lung Problems You Shouldn’t Ignore
If these symptoms linger or worsen, it’s time to consult your doctor
A severe cough, wheezing and shortness of breath are the main symptoms that would likely prompt a visit to your doctor’s office to rule out lung conditions. But there are some less obvious symptoms of lung problems that are also important to be aware of—especially since they may at first seem unrelated. Here, doctors explain how changes not commonly associated with pulmonary issues may be a sign to get your lungs checked.
6 sneaky symptoms of lung problems
It’s easy to write off minor bothers like aches or dizziness, but it turns out they can be unexpected symptoms of lung problems. Here are six under-the-radar signs to watch for:
Unintentional or rapid weight loss
While there are a number of reasons you may start losing weight without really trying, some people with lung cancer may experience unexplained weight loss, says Snehal Smart, MD, Doctor, Patient Advocate and researcher with The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com.
Woman's World Answers
“This could be related to the body using up calories faster than the intake,” she explains.
Unintentional weight loss may also be a sign of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), adds Raj Dasgupta, MD, Chief Medical Advisor for Fortune Recommends Health. For people with COPD, the effort of breathing can burn additional calories, and chronic inflammation can lead to muscle wasting, he says.
Shoulder pain
You might usually assume shoulder pain is due to stiffness or a pulled muscle, and while relatively rare, it can sometimes be another underlying symptom of lung cancer. Specifically, unexplained or persistent pain in the shoulder can be a sign of a Pancoast tumor, which grows in the upper part of the lung and affects nerves and tissues around the shoulder and chest, explains Dr. Dasgupta.
Shoulder pain can also indicate a condition called pleurisy or pleuritis, which refers to inflammation of the lining of the lungs, he adds.
Eye conditions
If you notice one of your eyelids drooping (ptosis), this may signal Horner’s syndrome, says Dr. Dasgupta. This is a rare neurological disorder that affects the eye and surrounding area on one side of the face. Horner’s is often linked to the existence of Pancoast tumor, he says.
Dr. Dasgupta also notes the possibility of Sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease that can affect the lungs and any part of the eye and its surrounding tissues in addition to causing a range of other symptoms.
“Some lung infections such as histoplasmosis can lead to eye conditions known as ocular histoplasmosis syndrome,” adds Dr. Smart. “The infection can move from the lungs to the eyes and lead to vision loss.”
Dizziness
Trouble maintaining your balance or lightheadedness can be a sign of low oxygen levels due to several lung problems such as a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs) or COPD, explains Dr. Dasgupta. This is because these conditions cause the lungs to struggle to oxygenate the blood, leading to dizziness, he says.
Voice changes
Have you ever woken up and tried to speak only to realize your voice was hoarse? We typically chalk this up to tired vocal chords or a dry, irritated throat. However, a noticeable change in voice where it becomes hoarse or weak can indicate lung cancer, says Dr. Dasgupta. This can occur particularly if the tumor presses on the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which controls the vocal cords, he explains.
It’s also possible for lung nodules to have a similar effect, as they can push on or spread to the larynx or throat and cause a hoarse voice, adds Dr. Smart.
“This could also be a sign of bronchitis or lung infections, which can sometimes be associated with inflammation of the vocal cords and affect the voice,” Dr. Dasgupta adds.
Clubbed nails
This condition, in which finger or toe tips and nails become enlarged and curved, can signal chronic lung diseases including pulmonary fibrosis or lung cancer, says Randall Turner, DO, Medical Director at Able To Change Recovery.
When to see your doctor about symptoms of lung problems
Since many of these symptoms can overlap with different conditions, it can be tricky to determine whether they are connected to lung health. The best way to tell is by paying attention to patterns and any additional signs related to your breathing, says Dr. Turner.
“For instance, if you have a persistent cough that will not go away or you find yourself short of breath more often than usual, these could be signs of lung issues,” he explains.
So if unexplained weight loss, for example, is paired with difficulty breathing or chest pain, you may want to think about your lungs, he says.
Watch for symptoms of lung problems that worsen over time
The progression of these symptoms can also be a clue, adds Dr. Turner. If shoulder pain, voice changes or ongoing fatigue are not improving, it is worth visiting your doctor who can do a physical exam as well as a chest x-ray or CT scan if needed.
You should especially consider your medical history and discuss additional risk factors like smoking or long-term exposure to pollution, he suggests.
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