Signs & symptoms

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Common symptoms

Breathlessness

Breathlessness, a common symptom of lung disease, is often mistaken for getting older, carrying extra weight or not exercising enough. Everyone feels short of breath at times, like when you run for the bus or workout. It’s a natural response and it’s normal to feel that way. However, if you feel breathless when you’re not doing much, or notice that you’re more breathless than usual, it’s important to get it checked with your doctor. This can be a sign that something is not quite right. 

Persistent cough

It’s normal for many of us to cough every now and then. It can sometimes hang around for a few weeks and become annoying, interrupt your sleep and leave you feeling exhausted. However, a persistent cough that lasts for more than three weeks is a common symptom for lung disease and lung cancer. 

Coughs can be different for everyone – some are dry, while others bring up mucus, which is typically clear or white. If your mucus turns yellow, green, or has blood in it, see your doctor as soon as you can. If you’ve had a cough for several weeks, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. Try to remember how long you’ve had it, what it sounds like, and any other symptoms you might have and let your doctor know.

Weight loss

If you’ve lost weight that was unexpected or without trying to, it’s best not to ignore it. It can be one of the signs of a more serious disease. It’s important to talk about any sudden or unexplained weight loss with your doctor. 

Fatigue

Fatigue is a common symptom of lung disease, and it’s more than just feeling tired. It’s a constant or overwhelming feeling of tiredness that even sleep doesn’t seem to help. It can make it hard to think clearly, remember things, and can make you feel more emotional. Fatigue can also make everyday tasks, like showering or making dinner, feel difficult. If you’re feeling this kind of tiredness, let your doctor know.

Wheeze

Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound you make when you breathe. You usually hear it when you breathe out. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common causes of wheezing. But it can also happen because of a cold or other infection in your lungs. Wheezing means the air can’t flow through your airways properly because they’re too tight or blocked. Sometimes a slight wheeze might not seem like much, but it’s important to pay attention to it as it can be an early sign of lung disease.

Chest infections

A chest infection is when your lungs get infected. If the infection is in the small air sacs in your lungs, it’s called pneumonia. If it’s in the larger airways, it’s called bronchitis. When you have a chest infection, your airways become swollen and make more mucus or pus. This can block the airways and make it hard to breathe. Chest infections are usually caused by bacteria, viruses or less commonly by fungi. 

Mucus production

Mucus (which is watery) and phlegm (which is thicker) are both normal ways your body protects itself. If you’re coughing up more mucus or phlegm than usual, it means your airways are irritated or swollen, or you might have an infection. If this keeps happening, it could also be a sign of lung disease. You should see your doctor and tell them about the colour, thickness, and how much mucus you’re coughing up, and how often it happens.

Coughing up blood 

If you cough up blood or frothy mucus that has streaks of blood in it, it could be coming from your lungs or upper airways. Blood from the lungs often looks bubbly because it’s mixed with air and mucus. No matter where the blood comes from, it’s a sign that something is wrong and you should see your doctor immediately. If you’re coughing up a lot of blood, then you need to go to the emergency department.

Chronic chest pain  

Chest pain can be a symptom of many things. It could be a sign of a heart attack or heart disease, but it’s also common with lung disease. You should always take chest pain seriously, especially if it lasts for a month or longer, or if it gets worse when you breathe in or cough.

When to book an appointment with your GP?  

You should see your doctor if: 

• You feel short of breath
• It hurts when you breathe
• You have a fever (38 degrees Celsius or higher)
• You are coughing up a lot of mucus, especially if it’s yellow or green
• There’s blood in your mucus
• Your symptoms aren’t getting better, or they’re getting worse.

If you are concerned about your lung health, or are experiencing any of these symptoms, complete our online Lung Health Checklist and book an appointment with your GP immediately.

At your appointment  

When you see your doctor, they’ll ask you about your symptoms. It helps to think about when you first noticed them and if they have changed over time. This information will help your doctor when making a diagnosis.

Your doctor will probably listen to your chest with a stethoscope. It’s a good idea to wear loose, comfortable clothes to your appointment.

Your doctor may order further tests based on their findings, your symptoms and other risk factors. These may include a lung function test (spirometry), a chest X-ray or a high-resolution CT scan.