Breathing Troubles: Common Causes and Triggers

Cancer is the second leading cause of the death in America, resulting in almost 575,000 deaths throughout 2011. Lung cancer contributes the most of any cancer to that alarming statistic, surpassing the death toll of the next four deadliest cancers combined. Symptoms of lung cancer include a persistent cough, chest pain, wheezing and shortness of breath. However, these signs typically don’t appear until the disease has advanced. An estimated 90 percent of lung cancer diagnoses are attributed to prolonged first- or second-hand exposure to smoke. Fortunately, quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke can lower the risk of developing lung cancer, COPD, pulmonary hypertension and many other respiratory conditions.