What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Have you been diagnosed with mesothelioma? Here’s what you need to know about this disease.
If you worked around asbestos in the past or you were exposed to asbestos at some point, you may be at risk to develop mesothelioma. This is a type of lung cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is a very deadly form of cancer, and many patients do not live long after they are diagnosed with this. If you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos, it’s important to understand the warning signs of mesothelioma. If you understand what to look out for, you will be more likely to seek prompt treatment. Here’s what you need to know.
Chest pain
One of the first signs of mesothelioma is chest pain. Many adults tend to brush off chest pain as being related to stress or anxiety; however, chest pain can be an indicator that something is seriously wrong. You should always talk to your personal physician if you experience chest pain. Even if you do not have mesothelioma, chest pain may be caused by another medical issue, such as severe asthma or even a heart attack. Never treat chest pain lightly.
Prolonged and painful coughing
Because mesothelioma usually centers around the lungs, you may have respiratory symptoms with this disease. Have you had painful coughing that lasts a long time? Have you had a persistent cough you just can’t seem to shake? This is one of the most common indicators that mesothelioma is present.
Unexplained and unintentional weight loss
While most people like the idea of slimming down and toning up, unintentional weight loss could indicate that your body is in trouble. Have you recently lost weight? Are you feeling a general sense of malaise? Are you performing your normal daily activities, but shedding the pounds without even trying? Make sure you pay attention to this. Any sudden and unexpected weight changes should be reported to your doctor.
Difficulty swallowing
One of the most common, yet most dangerous symptoms is difficulty swallowing. Are you struggling to swallow food normally? Does your throat feel swollen? Is it challenging to swallow normally even when you aren’t eating?
Coughing up blood
Mesothelioma is a very serious cancer with very serious side effects. Unfortunately, one serious symptom is coughing up blood. If you or someone you love has begun coughing up blood, it’s vital that you seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Your doctor can run tests, perform a biopsy, or even take x-rays to understand what’s going on with your body.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it’s important that you schedule an appointment with your attorney as soon as possible. Make sure that you talk with your lawyer about your diagnosis. This will enable you to find out what your options are. Your lawyer understands that you’re in a difficult position, and they want to help you have the best possible outcome. Reach out today.
