Checklist | Lung Foundation Australia

Check how healthy your lungs are, by
taking our interactive Lung Health Checklist.

Have a new,
persistent or changed cough?
New and Persistent Cough

While people might joke about 'coughing up a lung', symptoms such as coughing, wheezing or noisy breathing can mean your lungs are having trouble getting enough air or cleaning out a build-up of mucus.
Have a new, persistent or changed cough?*
- Yes
- No

Cough up mucus,
phlegm or blood?
Mucus, phlegm or blood

For something kind of gross, mucus does a lot of good. It helps keep germs, dirt, pollen, and bacteria from getting stuck in your lungs. But sometimes mucus doesn't stay put. Luckily, you don't seem to have to worry about that at the moment.
Cough up mucus, phlegm or blood?*
- Yes
- No

Get out of breath more,
easily than others your age?
Breathlessness

Your lungs are amazing. Many people put breathlessness down to being overweight or unfit. Unexplained breathlessness is 'not' ok and could indicate you have a problem with your lungs.
Get out of breath more easily than others your age?*
- Yes
- No

Experience chest
tightness or wheeze?
Chest tightness and wheezing

Wheezing is a whistling/fizzing sound from the chest when you breathe out. Wheezing is a classic sign of asthma but viruses can also be a cause of wheezing. Wheezing usually occurs when the flow of air is restricted due to a blockage in the tubes leading to the lungs.
Experience chest tightness or wheeze?*
- Yes
- No

Have frequent
chest infections?
Frequent chest infections

Be guided by your doctor, but some general self-care suggestions include:
- Take any medicines as directed. Even if you feel better, finish your course of antibiotics
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Rest for a few days
- Prop yourself up on a couple of pillows at night – it will make it easier to sleep
- Stop smoking
- Go straight to your local doctor or the nearest hospital emergency department if you have trouble breathing, have a high fever or feel worse
Have frequent chest infections?*
- Yes
- No

Experience chest pain, fatigue
or have sudden weight loss?
Frequent chest pain, fatigue and/or sudden weight loss

You can't see your lungs, but it's easy to feel them in action: Put your hands on your chest and breathe in very deeply. You will feel your chest getting slightly bigger. Now breathe out the air, and feel your chest return to its regular size.
Experience chest pain, fatigue, or have sudden weight loss?*
- Yes
- No

Are you a smoker
or ex-smoker?
Smoker

Tobacco is the only legal drug which if taken exactly as intended will kill about half of those people who use it. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemical compounds. Many of these agents are toxic and at least 69 cause cancer. It is a known cause of at least 25 diseases including COPD, lung and other cancers, cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Smoking is also a risk factor for other conditions such as gastrointestinal disease, adverse reproductive effects, macular degeneration (eye disease), hair loss, skin ageing and wrinkles, wound infection, gum disease, stomach ulcers, impotence in men, osteoporosis, early menopause, and irregular and pain periods for women.
Are you a smoker or ex-smoker?*
- Yes
- No

Have you ever worked in a job that exposed you to dust, gas or fumes?
Have you ever worked in a job that exposed you to dust, gas or fumes?*
- Yes
- No

Thank you for taking the time to visit Lung Foundation Australia's website and taking part in our online Lung Health Checklist.

You may have some symptoms which may be related to lung disease.

We recommend you speak with your doctor about your symptoms, especially if you have been exposed to smoke, dust, gas or fumes.

Please print the letter below which can be used to help guide the conversation.

Lung Foundation Australia oversees a network of self-help patient support groups around the country for people with lung conditions to connect with others for support and to share their experiences.

Click the button below to generate your report!

Why not encourage a friend or family member to take the lung health checklist?
- Facebook
- Twitter
For more information or to get in touch with a support group, please contact Lung Foundation Australia on 1800 654 301 or by email to enquiries@lungfoundation.com.au.

Note: This Lung Health Checklist has been designed by Lung Foundation Australia to assist the community in monitoring their lung health. It is intended to be used as a guide only and is not an authoritative statement. Please consult your doctor for medical opinion or advice.
Thank you for taking the time to visit Lung Foundation Australia's website and taking part in our online Lung Health Checklist.

Congratulations, you don't have any symptoms.

Lung Foundation Australia oversees a network of self-help patient support groups around the country for people with lung conditions to connect with others for support and to share their experiences.

Click the button below to generate your report!

Why not encourage a friend or family member to take the lung health checklist?
- Facebook
- Twitter
For more information please contact Lung Foundation Australia on 1800 654 301 or by email to enquiries@lungfoundation.com.au.

Note: This Lung Health Checklist has been designed by Lung Foundation Australia to assist the community in monitoring their lung health. It is intended to be used as a guide only and is not an authoritative statement. Please consult your doctor for medical opinion or advice.
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New and Persistent Cough

Mucus, phlegm or blood

Breathlessness

Chest tightness and wheezing

Frequent chest infections

Frequent chest pain, fatigue and/or sudden weight loss

Smoker