Lung Cancer Cough: What to Know and How to Manage It

Author: Molly Lindquist

Medically reviewed by Dr. Doug Blayney on September 22, 2024.

Introduction

When someone has lung cancer, coughing is pretty common. It can be tough to deal with, but knowing more about it can really help. In this article, we'll explore what a lung cancer cough is all about and share some tips on how to manage it. Our goal is to give you helpful information so you can feel more in control.

Lung Cancer Cough - What to Know

Let's start with the basics. A lung cancer cough is a type of cough that happens because of lung cancer (I know we’re bordering on being Captain Obvious here!). It's not the same as a regular cough you might get from a cold or allergies. Here are some key things to know:

• A lung cancer cough often lasts for a long time - usually more than 2-3 weeks.
• It might be more severe than a regular cough.
• Sometimes, it comes with other symptoms that we'll talk about later.

The main difference between a regular cough and a lung cancer cough is how long it lasts and how it feels. A regular cough usually goes away after a week or two, but a lung cancer cough sticks around.

Causes of Lung Cancer Cough

You might be wondering, "Why does lung cancer cause a cough?" Well, there are a few reasons:

1. Tumor irritation: Sometimes, the cancer growth in the lungs can irritate the airways, making you cough.
2. Blocked airways: If a tumor grows big enough, it might block part of your airway, causing a cough.
3. Infection: Lung cancer can make it easier for you to get lung infections, which can cause coughing.
4. Radiation treatments:  Sometimes radiation therapy treatments can cause lung inflammation, which causes a dry (that is no sputum production) cough.  Radiation induced coughs may start several weeks after the radiation treatments are complete.

It's important to know that the stage of lung cancer can affect your cough. In early stages, the cough might be milder. In later stages, it could be more frequent or severe.

Symptoms Associated with Lung Cancer Cough

A lung cancer cough often comes with other symptoms. Keep an eye out for these:

• Coughing up blood or rust-colored spit (doctors call this "sputum")
• Feeling short of breath or like it's hard to breathe
• Pain in your chest, especially when you cough or take deep breaths
• Feeling very tired all the time
• Losing weight without trying
• Fevers, sweats or chills

If you notice any of these symptoms, especially if they last for more than a few weeks, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor. Early detection is really important with lung cancer, so don't hesitate to get checked out.  Fever or coughing up blood should be reported to your health care team immediately.

Characteristics of a Lung Cancer Cough

Every person's experience with a lung cancer cough can be a bit different, but here are some common characteristics:

• It's persistent, meaning it doesn't go away easily.
• It might be dry and hacking, or it could produce mucus.
• The cough might be worse at certain times, like at night or in the morning.
• It could be painful, especially if you've been coughing a lot.

Remember, having these symptoms doesn't automatically mean you have lung cancer. Many other things can cause similar symptoms. But if you're worried, it's always best to check with a doctor.

Impact of Lung Cancer Cough on Quality of Life

Living with a constant cough isn't easy. It can affect many parts of your life:

• Sleep: A bad cough can make it hard to get a good night's rest.
• Social life: You might feel embarrassed about coughing in public or around friends.
• Mental health: Dealing with a chronic cough can be stressful and tiring.

Many people with lung cancer say that the cough is one of the hardest parts to deal with. One patient shared, "The constant coughing was exhausting. It made it hard to enjoy time with my family or even watch a movie without interruption."

It's okay to feel frustrated or upset about your cough. Remember, there are ways to manage it and improve your quality of life.

Managing Lung Cancer Cough

Now, let's talk about the good news - there are ways to manage a lung cancer cough and make life more comfortable. We'll break this down into three main areas:

Medical Treatments

Your doctor might suggest several treatments to help with your cough:

1. Medications: There are medicines that can help reduce coughing.
2. Radiation therapy: This can sometimes shrink tumors that are causing the cough.
3. Bronchoscopy: This is a procedure where doctors can remove things blocking your airways.

Always talk to your doctor about which treatments might be right for you.

Home Remedies

There are also things you can try at home to help ease your cough:

• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help thin out mucus and make coughing easier.
• Use a humidifier: Adding moisture to the air can soothe your throat and lungs.
• Try breathing exercises: Certain techniques can help you manage your breathing and reduce coughing.
• Elevate your head: When lying down, use extra pillows to prop up your head. This can help prevent mucus from pooling in your throat.

Palliative Care

Palliative care is a special type of care focused on making you feel more comfortable. It can be really helpful for managing symptoms like a chronic cough. Palliative care teams can offer additional ways to ease your cough and improve your overall quality of life.

Self-Care Tips for Lung Cancer Cough

Taking care of yourself is an important part of managing a lung cancer cough. Here are some tips:

1. Avoid irritants: Try to stay away from things that might make your cough worse, like smoke or strong perfumes.
2. Eat well: A healthy diet can help boost your immune system.
3. Rest when you need to: It's okay to take breaks and rest when your cough is tiring you out.
4. Practice relaxation: Stress can sometimes make coughing worse. Try relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.
5. Use cough drops or hard candy: These can help soothe your throat and reduce the urge to cough.

Remember, what works best can be different for everyone. It's okay to try different things and see what helps you the most.

When to Seek Professional Help

While it's good to manage your cough at home, there are times when you should definitely talk to a doctor. Seek medical help if:

• Your cough is getting worse or changing in how it sounds or feels.
• You're coughing up blood or a lot more mucus than usual.
• You have a fever that won't go away.
• You're losing weight without trying.
• You're feeling more short of breath than usual.

Don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare team if you're worried. They're there to help you!

Prevention and Monitoring

While you can't always prevent a lung cancer cough, you can take steps to monitor it and possibly reduce its severity:

• Keep a cough diary: Write down when your cough is worse and what seems to trigger it. Check out our Manta Planner to help with this!
• Follow your treatment plan: Take any medications as prescribed by your doctor.
• Attend all your check-ups: Regular visits with your doctor can help catch any changes early.
• Stay up to date on vaccinations: Flu shots and pneumonia vaccines can help prevent infections that might make your cough worse.

Join the Manta Cares Community. We get it.

The Manta Cares team is composed of cancer survivors, caregivers and oncologists - so we truly understand the challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis because we’ve been there. We are here to walk with you as you go through your own cancer experience. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. We are even developing disease-specific step-by-step maps to show you all the paths you might face during your cancer experience and connect you with relevant support and resources. Sign up for access to our Manta Maps here.

Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and check out our free resources like our Chemotherapy Checklist for Caregivers, Financial Checklist for Cancer Treatment and more. We also put out a bi-weekly podcast called the Patient from Hell to educate, empower and hopefully inspire you as you go through this crappy experience. You can listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Dealing with cancer as a patient or caregiver can feel really lonely. Just know that you are not alone in this experience.

Conclusion

Living with a lung cancer cough can be challenging, but remember, you're not alone. There are many ways to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. The key points to remember are:

• A lung cancer cough is different from a regular cough and often comes with other symptoms.
• There are medical treatments, home remedies, and self-care techniques that can help.
• Don't hesitate to seek help from your healthcare team when you need it.

Every person's experience with lung cancer is unique. What works best for managing your cough might take some time to figure out. Be patient with yourself and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

If you have more questions about managing your lung cancer cough, talk to your doctor. They can give you personalized advice based on your specific situation.

FAQs about Lung Cancer Cough

How is a lung cancer cough different from other types of coughs? 

A lung cancer cough tends to be persistent, lasting for weeks or months. It might be more severe and come with other symptoms like coughing up blood or chest pain.

What are the primary reasons lung cancer causes a cough? 

Lung cancer can cause a cough due to tumor irritation in the airways, blockage of airways by tumors, after radiation treatments, or increased risk of lung infections.

What are the warning signs that indicate the need for medical intervention? 

Seek medical help if you have a persistent cough, are coughing up blood, experience chest pain, have unexplained weight loss, or feel constantly short of breath.  If you have fever or bloody sputum, contact your health care team right away.

What medical treatments are available to manage a lung cancer cough? 

Treatments may include medications to reduce coughing, radiation therapy to shrink tumors, and procedures like bronchoscopy to clear airways.

What are the other symptoms of lung cancer? 

Other symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and recurring lung infections.

Disclaimer: All content and information provided in connection with Manta Cares is solely intended for informational and educational purposes only.  This content and information is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.