Difficulty breathing may occur during your treatment. The symptoms include feeling short of breath, wheezing, and coughing. A number of things can cause breathing problems: infection in the lungs, fluid in the lungs, or bleeding. The most common cause is infection. Do everything you can to prevent irritation and infection in the lungs. Exercise and breathing clean air helps the lungs function optimally.
Your goals
- Keep the lungs healthy.
- Call for professional help when needed.
Urgent signs and symptoms- Call clinic or hospital operator NOW
- Feeling short of breath/cannot get enough air
- Trouble breathing when lying flat
- Tightness or wheezing with each breath
- Uncontrollable cough
- Coughing blood or green/yellow sputum
Important signs and symptoms to report to your doctor or nurse
- New or recurrent cough
- Getting “winded” easily with minimal activity
What you can do at home
- Do not smoke or be around smoke.
- Exercise daily. This helps expand the lungs and improves oxygen exchange and blood flow.
- Maintaining an upright position lets the lungs expand and exchange oxygen better. For example, during the day, sitting is better than lying flat. Standing up and moving really lets the lungs expand.
- Avoid wearing clothing that restricts breathing.
- Avoid contact with any person who has signs of respiratory infection (cold, fever, sneezing, or runny nose).
- The sooner you start treatment, the more likely the treatment will work.
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