Shortness of breath can feel frightening if it gets worse with time. While asthma is a common lung issue that may happen to anyone, it can still be managed with the right medications and care. But sometimes, the persistent breathlessness you feel can be linked to more than just asthma. This is why you should pay attention to yourself, because the symptoms may overlap.
Can shortness of breath be caused by cancer or asthma?
Both asthma and certain cancers can cause shortness of breath, but their reasons can be completely different. Asthma happens when your airways become narrow, which can lead to breathlessness that usually improves with inhalers. Cancer-related breathlessness can happen because of several reasons. It may occur if the tumor blocks the airways or fluid collects around the lungs. But unlike asthma, the breathlessness related to cancer usually continues, even after taking the proper medications. It may not respond to the normal asthma treatment medications. This is why awareness matters for timely care.
What is the difference?
While asthma and cancer have similarities, there are some of the differences that you should stay aware of:
Asthma symptoms:
Breathlessness that comes and goes
Chest tightening or coughing that improves with inhalers
Usually triggered by cold air, smoke
, or exercise
Breathing returns to normal after using inhalers
Cancer symptoms:
Shortness of breath that continues for a longer time
Coughing that lasts more than a week
Breathlessness that doesn’t improve with asthma medications
Difficulty breathing while resting or following a daily routine.
When should you see a doctor?
Shortness of breath does not mean that you have cancer. Sometimes, it can be because of asthma or some other respiratory disorders like pneumonia or pulmonary embolism. But if breathlessness and other symptoms, like coughing up blood or chest pain, persist even after the right care, it could be something else. If these issues start to affect your daily routine, then consulting your doctor at the earliest can be the right step. This way, you can get the right attention when it's needed the most.
How is the case diagnosed?
To determine the reason behind your shortness of breath, doctors may examine you physically and look at your medical history to assess your condition. For this, they may use spirometry, a lung function test, to assess if your airways are working properly. If doctors find anything suspicious, then they might go ahead with a CT scan or MRI to look for any visible tumors. Depending on the results, a final biopsy can be performed to confirm the presence of cancer so that doctors can plan the treatment according to your medical condition.
Focus on your breath
Differentiating between asthma and cancer may be difficult, but awareness is all that matters. By consulting your doctor immediately, you can take charge of your health and can start your treatment on time. This way, you can buy yourself some extra time for recovery and breathe freely.