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What Causes Coughing Up Blood, Weight Loss, Severe Pains And Breathlessness During Pregnancy?
Question: Hi im a 23 yr old female, i am 19 werks pregnant, since early pregnancy i jave felt a little breathless, when i was a child i had asthma, the last few weeks i wake up with chest tightness then it goes away but iv started getting like pain/ache under right breast tgat seems to also be in my upper right back, my doctor seems to think its the pregnnacy and maybe i need a massage, what worrys me is yesterday i spat phlegm out and it had small amoubt of blood in it but i think it was from my mose as iv been abit congested, im so scared of lung cancer as i seem to have the symtoms but my doctor said my lungs sound fine and that he doesnt feel the need to investergate further, i do have anxiety and always think i habe some sort of illness and im just so scared o have lung cancwr as i smoked for 8 years! Please any advice
Brief Answer:
Do not be scared cancer less likely
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
I understand your concern.
However please do not worry.
The symptoms of lung cancer are chronic cough that may have blood later on. Weight loss, severe pains, breathlessness, hoarseness of voice and so on. Weight loss is a very important symptom along with blood in sputum. But here the sputum is usually copious and cough is long standing. Most of the investigations needed to diagnose lung cancer use radiation which is extremely harmful for the baby. So it would not be possible to perform them in pregnancy and I feel that it is not needed at this point of time. One test that can be done now is examination of the sputum for cancer cells.
Having said all this, the most likely diagnosis in your case seems to be a mild exacerbation of the asthma with or without an infectious component. People having childhood asthma are at a risk of exacerbation if they have a respiratory tract infection.
So, I suggest that you consult a chest specialist. Get your lungs thoroughly examined. He may also suggest you some tests for asthma like the PFT. A sputum examination for cancer cells and infection may be done to rule out cancer.
It is also advisable to get your heart evaluated as you had chest pain and tightness. An ECG will help in most cases.
Please also remember that smoking is injurious to health. The risk of lung cancer decreases after quitting smoking. So please stop it. It is also very bad for the baby and does not allow the baby to grow.
Think about this event as an opportunity that life has given you to realize how important and precious life is. We must keep it safe and enjoy it. You are young and I am sure have a happy and healthy life ahead of you.
I hope I was able to answer you question.
Wish you a happy and safe pregnancy.
Thanks for using HCM.
Feel free to ask any more questions that you may have.
Dr Madhuri Bagde
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks so much for your reply seems when i pish my stomach out the pain is really sharp? What coudl this be?
Brief Answer:
Acidity or indigestion may cause this.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
This may be either acidity or indigestion or uterine pain if it is low down.
As of now I suggest that you eat simple food low in spices and oil for a few days. Drink cold milk as it helps control acidity. Also avoid eating citrus fruits like oranges or drinking fruit juices and lemonade for a few days. If the pain is still there it will need an examination.
Hope this was able to help you.
Take care.
Dr Madhuri Bagde
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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