Medical History

A doctor first asks the person about symptoms. Chest tightness or pain, shortness of breath
(dyspnea) either at rest or during exertion, cough, coughing up of sputum or blood (hemoptysis),
and wheezing may indicate a lung or airway disorder. Other, more general symptoms, such as
fever, weakness, fatigue, or a general feeling of illness or discomfort (malaise), sometimes also
reflect a lung or airway disorder.

Next, the doctor asks the person about

 Past lung disorders and infections

 Previous exposure to chemicals, dusts, molds, or animals
 Use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco
 Home and work environments