Lung Diseases

Clinical Approach to Lung Diseases

Cardinal Symptoms

• Cough
• Sputum production
• Hemoptysis [Coughing of blood]
• Breathlessness
• Wheeze
• Chest pain

Other presenting symptoms

• Apnea / Cessation of breathing
• Hoarseness of voice
• Stridor
• Snoring
• Excessive day time sleepiness
• Fever
• Night sweating
• Weight loss
• Patients can have other complaints of extrathoracic manifestations especially in systemic diseases
• Also patients can present with symptoms of other associated systemic organ diseases etc
• Individual symptoms can vary so it requires proper assessment

Patients with respiratory diseases usually present with either of the above symptoms or combination of symptoms. They can also have other systemic complaints depending on the disease process. Usually the presenting symptoms are analysed in conjunction with physical examination findings to arrive at a clinical diagnosis before further appropriate diagnostic tests. There is no substitute for a comprehensive medical history.