Evaluation and Management of Pulmonary Hypertension in Noncardiac Surgery: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

5 Signs Of Lung Cancer Even Nonsmokers Need To Know

The chest isn't the only spot that might feel heavy or tight, Dr. Chiang says. "If it goes to the bone, maybe in one of your vertebrae, you can weaken that bone and sometimes you can be more susceptible to a fracture," she notes.

As for how lung cancer pain might differ from, say, anxiety-related chest pressure, again, it can be hard to differentiate, both experts agreed. The main thing to look for? It's new—and not letting up.

3. You're strangely short of breath.

Vassallo was super active before her lung cancer symptoms settled in. So when she started having issues with her breathing, it was particularly noticeable. "I'd go to martial arts classes and lift weights, still in pain and tiring out really quickly," she explains. "I was training for a half-marathon at the time, but I eventually had to stop—I couldn't go longer than a few minutes without wanting to pass out."

In Vassallo's case, her tumor was putting pressure on her lungs, causing her respiratory system to become inflamed and agitated. But people can have a hard time inhaling because the cancer is causing fluid to build up in the lungs, Dr. Chiang says. "You might even have some shortness of breath changing positions because, if you're bending over, that fluid sort of 'goes with gravity' either to the front or the back."

Vassallo was a generally athletic person, so her lung capacity changes were stark. But what if you're not logging miles on a daily basis? "Typically what I hear from my patients is that things have changed over time and you're in a different place than you were before," Dr. Chiang notes. "It might be something like, 'Oh gee, I used to be able to fold all my laundry in one go, and now I have to take several breaks while I'm doing that because I get really tired and short of breath.'"

4. You're dropping weight without trying.

One doc thought acid reflux was to blame for Vassallo's woes, so she was put on a GERD diet (a.K.A. Things that discourage heartburn, like whole grains, vegetables, watery foods like watermelon, and foods with a higher pH, like bananas and melons). When Vassallo went on to lose weight over the course of a few months, she figured her new eating habits were the cause.

According to Dr. Chiang, weight loss is often associated with all types of cancer, not just lung. "That's because cancer cells use a lot of sugar, and sometimes people lose their appetite," she notes. (Cancer cells grow more rapidly than normal cells, Dr. Chiang explains, and suck up a lot of energy.) "So even though they're not trying to lose weight, they may just have a loss of appetite and not be interested in food."

So what's a red flag? If you've dropped 10 pounds, or roughly 5% of your body weight, over several months without trying, bring it up to a doc ASAP.

5. You've developed blood clots.

Roughly 10% of people with any kind of cancer develop blood clots because they tend to have "sticky" blood or a tumor that can compress blood vessels. If you have a clot, you might feel throbbing, cramping, swelling, or redness in the legs or arms, or sudden breathlessness or chest pain. Clots can be particularly prevalent in lung cancer, Dr. Puri says. "I recall one of my patients who was extremely active. He used to bike, had his own company, and just had a blood clot out of nowhere. Blood clots don't happen in healthy young people without risk factors."

Lung Cancer Resource Center

Surprising Signs You Might Have Lung Cancer

Learn the surprising signs that you could be dealing with lung cancer. Coughing and chest pain are the better-known ones, but, as you'll see in this WebMD slideshow, symptoms can crop up in other places in your body, too.

Signs Of Lung Disease And Infection You Can Spot In Your Hands

Changes in the appearance or texture of hands can often signify a larger health concern. Understanding the telltale signs of certain conditions and how they affect our hands can help people get treatment quicker, helping minimise the negative effects according to Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy.

Dr Grant has revealed five signs in the hands that could signify serious health concerns. He said: "From cardiovascular disease to psoriasis, our hands can tell us a lot about our health - indicating potentially serious health conditions. It's vital to understand the telltale signs of illness and how to spot changes in hands to avoid a further reduction in well-being. Therefore, let's take a look at the five signs to look out for.

Nails

"A range of health issues can all lead to alterations in nail appearance and texture. Firstly, pitted nails are when small dents or pits form on the surface of fingernails and can indicate psoriasis, in severe cases, it can cause the nails to crumble.

"Additionally, yellow nails can be an indicator of a range of health issues, including fungal infections or underlying health conditions such as lung disease. With so many potential causes, it's vital to seek further advice from a GP to diagnose the issue and receive the correct treatment.

Skin

"It's also important to keep an eye on skin, as the texture and appearance can alter quite rapidly when ill. Palmar Erythema is a skin condition causing the palms of hands to turn red, it can also bring a burning sensation and affects people for a range of reasons, including pregnancy - however, it can also be a sign of worrying health conditions such as lymphoma or liver disease.

"Additionally, vitamin deficiencies, such as not attaining enough calcium or vitamin D can lead to dry patches of skin appearing on the hands, highlighting the need for a well-balanced diet. Dry skin may also be a sign of eczema or an allergic reaction. Over-the-counter products such as CeraVe Moisturising Cream are effective at repairing the skin's natural barrier and providing much-needed hydration.

Stiff Joints

"When the joints in hands start to become stiff, it's usually a sign of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a common condition that can lead to swelling, pain and stiffness while reducing movement, it tends to affect the base of the thumb and middle joints of the fingers but can cause pain all throughout the hand.

"While it can be difficult to treat osteoarthritis, anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen can be used to manage pain and swelling while adopting a healthy amount of exercise can help ease stiffness.

Cold Hands

"Dramatic temperature changes are a massive indicator that something's not quite right. Firstly, cold hands can be a sign of poor circulation but may also suggest anaemia, when a lack of red blood cells is present.

"Aside from anaemia, cold hands may also indicate an underlying health condition such as diabetes or blood clots. If you experience a long-lasting change in hand temperature, it may be best to seek additional medical advice.

Thickened Fingers

"Finally, monitoring changes in fingers, such as width, can help spot dangerous life-threatening diseases to help receive the quickest treatment. A common symptom of pulmonary fibrosis - a type of lung disease - is the widening of fingers and clubbing of fingernails.

"Dactylitus, where fingers become much wider in appearance, can be a sign of sickle cell disease, tuberculosis or a bacterial infection. With so many potentially dangerous causes, I strongly advise people to seek urgent medical attention if they notice any changes to their fingers.

"Overall, changes in our hands and fingers can indicate a wide variety of conditions, ranging from psoriasis to lung disease. By understanding the telltale signs, people can quickly access medical advice or over-the-counter treatments to help reduce pain and avoid life-threatening illnesses."

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