FUNCTIONAL HEALTH -- RESPIRATORY DISEASE

Why Breathing Changes Matter

Coughing or breathing changes are often misattributed to:

  • aging

  • allergies

  • “normal” noises

But they may signal:

  • heart disease

  • airway inflammation

  • fluid imbalance


Early Warning Signs

  • coughing at night

  • exercise intolerance

  • rapid breathing at rest

  • noisy breathing


Functional Health Evaluation

  • pattern recognition

  • triggers

  • recovery time


When Monitoring Is Reasonable vs Risky

Monitoring may be appropriate when:

  • symptoms are mild and stable

Escalation is needed when:

  • symptoms worsen

  • resting breathing rate increases


Next Step

Respiratory signs should never be ignored — even when intermittent.