Albany respiratory therapist shares warning signs for lung health during Respiratory Care Week

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — In honor of National Respiratory Care Week, local medical professionals are urging South Georgia residents to stay proactive about their lung health and recognize early warning signs before conditions worsen.Elizabeth Evarts, a respiratory therapist with AdaptHealth Georgia Home Medical in Albany, warned that ignoring persistent respiratory symptoms can trigger a dangerous ripple effect throughout the entire body.“Especially in the early stages, an infection can progress rapidly. It’s just a domino effect of conditions that could make where it started worse,” Evarts said. “It can cause heart problems, lack of oxygen being transferred to other organs, and damage to lung tissue that sometimes can never heal the right way.”While many associate lung screenings exclusively with chronic tobacco use, Evarts emphasized that anyone experiencing lingering symptoms should consult a physician. Key warning signs include:Chronic or persistent coughUnexplained shortness of breath