Many people don’t pay much attention to an occasional cough. It usually feels like a minor irritation that will settle on its own. But if this coughing continues for a longer duration, then it can be a sign of pneumonia or lung cancer. Because these two issues share symptom similarities, it can be really confusing for you to differentiate between the two.
What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a lung infection that is caused by inflammation in the tiny air sacs of your lungs. This disturbs the normal oxygen flow in your lungs and can make breathing a challenge. Continuous coughing, chest discomfort, and random fever are some symptoms that you may face in the beginning.
What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer develops when certain cells in your lungs begin to grow uncontrollably. This results in the development of tumors in the lung tissues, which then disturbs how your lungs function normally. It's easy for you to ignore the early symptoms, as lung cancer starts very slowly and becomes difficult to control when it starts to spread to other organs.
How is lung cancer different from pneumonia?
Although pneumonia and lung cancer look similar, there is a huge difference in how they develop and how they are treated.
Cause: Pneumonia happens because of bacterial or viral inflammation in the lungs. But lung cancer develops when cells in your lungs begin to grow uncontrollably.
Symptoms duration: Symptoms of pneumonia appear suddenly and may improve with your treatment. But lung cancer symptoms develop slowly and can worsen over time.
Treatment approach: Pneumonia can be easily treated with antibiotics or antivirals. But lung cancer is more complicated and needs chemotherapy or surgery, depending on the stage of your disease.
The right time to seek a doctor’s help
In case you feel your cough has lasted for several weeks or chest pain has worsened over time, then it can be more than just normal. At such times, it is better to consult your doctor on time. This will help you to detect major issues early so you can get more time to recover.
Pay attention to your body
Differentiating between lung cancer and pneumonia is confusing when symptoms feel similar. But by staying aware, you can heal on time and get back to your normal life.