Trouble Breathing Could Be a Sign of Mesothelioma

With a disease like mesothelioma, one of the keys to getting proper treatment is getting an early diagnosis. The sooner you can figure out what the disease is and start that process, the better your prognosis. This is a very difficult disease to treat, but beginning early has shown to have better results.

So, how can you know if you have the disease before it has been detected in the medical setting? You can’t know for sure, but you can look for common warning signs that alert you that it’s time to talk to your doctor. One of them could be significant trouble breathing.

Where Is the Mesothelioma Located?

Whether or not you see this sign may depend on where the cancer is located and what type it is. For it to create things like chest pain and shortness of breath, you must have pleural mesothelioma. This can impact your lungs and the tissues that are surrounding them.

However, you could also have peritoneal mesothelioma. It is also caused by asbestos, but it shows up in your abdomen and may not affect your breathing at all. Instead, you could experience signs like weight loss, nausea, abdominal swelling or abdominal pain.

It’s also worth noting that trouble breathing can be a sign of other medical issues, as well. These could be as simple as the common cold or as complicated as pneumonia or another type of cancer. All told, if it’s a chronic condition, it’s time to talk to your doctor.

What Can You Do Next?

If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, it can have a drastic impact on both your life and your loved ones. Be sure you know about all of the legal options that are available.