http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003073.htm. V$ Q6 [- w$ X* ^9 ^# T8 }5 y
Coughing up bloodEmail this page to a friendShare on facebookShare on twitterBookmark & SharePrinter-friendly version
0 Z, Y* r8 }8 l# w, lCoughing up blood is the spitting up of blood or bloody mucus from the lungs and throat (respiratory tract).: X7 K* k z. ^7 {$ [$ x: t
5 j; \0 v, ~! \$ v/ |; \Hemoptysis is the medical term for coughing up blood from the respiratory tract.! L0 E& V! Y# B, }% z$ U3 r9 H, L
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Considerations
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Coughing up blood is not the same as bleeding from the mouth, throat, or gastrointestinal tract.
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0 J1 `! O; C) oBlood that comes up with a cough often looks bubbly because it is mixed with air and mucus. It is usually bright red, although it may be rust-colored. Sometimes the mucus may only contain streaks of blood.
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Causes
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A number of conditions, diseases, and medical tests may make you cough up blood, including:
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: c Y c, t/ m* D* J: fBlood clot in the lung
* {; v0 l ?/ Z9 |/ @" |. M& D/ u4 UBreathing blood into the lungs (pulmonary aspiration)6 y$ O) _; L4 ]- f" f+ N" M
Bronchoscopy with biopsy* \) A. A# c; }& F+ p% S; ?* S
Bronchiectasis
, F) p5 G( ?5 p* B1 c5 P' eBronchitis
0 z: ?! J/ R6 o2 X) e9 K; [Cancer7 x8 J) d& f5 ^" q
Cystic fibrosis
# B+ J% q' `' OInflammation of the blood vessels in the lung (vasculitis)
5 t* i/ F' \6 c/ x8 RInjury to the arteries of the lungs
: \( F1 |- Y" Z5 k- i* g; MIrritation of the throat from violent coughing (small amounts of blood)$ R1 j9 g' d( X' Q7 H8 r+ j
Pneumonia or other lung infections
6 E# \$ X, h6 N. VPulmonary edema7 D; V& [3 x* G; T q
Systemic lupus erythematosus2 |# R# ^5 ^$ [ z/ A+ Y9 p4 ^% M. c0 H
Tuberculosis' `/ ~- I' q* w
Home Care
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Cough suppressants may help if this condition is due to throat irritation from violent coughing. However, cough suppressants may lead to airway blockages in some cases. Always check with your doctor before using them.. l% k" O. M9 n
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It is very important to note how long you cough up blood, and how much blood is mixed with the mucus. Contact your doctor any time you cough up blood, even if you do not have any other symptoms.
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2 [) z! I; g" mWhen to Contact a Medical Professional1 r1 I$ i# b& P% g k
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Get medical help right away if you cough up blood and have:; @- O0 }+ y1 Q8 b
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A cough that produces more than a few teaspoons of blood' w; ^; k# v( @ k1 }% M
Blood in your urine or stools+ w4 Y* U- ~3 z+ U
Chest pain
1 _( h: v1 @5 I2 Y: S/ yDizziness+ V3 p: x# p/ L6 ? b
Fever Q C. \/ e) W) s9 D( ~0 C a
Light-headedness
& c, a9 l4 ^4 Z+ ?7 t% b% d# nSevere shortness of breath
; I8 w% U# g" T9 ^* XWhat to Expect at Your Office Visit
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In an emergency case, your doctor will give you treatments to control your condition. The doctor will then ask you questions about your cough, such as:/ m" u1 q7 `5 ^0 j! ` q
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Are you coughing up large amounts of blood (massive hemoptysis)?( f- T4 [9 @1 z* i3 U. w3 f
Can you see blood when you cough up something?2 e7 m3 a. a3 t; M: v' t
How many times have you coughed up blood?
: b' V9 n7 k6 D: ^0 }Is there blood-streaked mucus (phlegm)?
# n) Q$ C4 X9 [* J: C# iTime pattern7 K; e/ p: V' t& }4 p3 g
Did it begin suddenly?
6 e. \( E6 ]7 N( s$ z; wHas it increased recently?
/ ]; d/ y7 Q9 I! Y( CFor how many weeks has the cough lasted?
4 y( C O# \% v0 W zIs the cough worse at night?
" S9 \) R4 U; s) jWhat other symptoms do you have?
) a$ |& ~0 Q* w3 z# j" `The doctor will do a complete physical exam and check your chest and lungs. Tests that may be done include:# a% t0 P9 v' F; U4 r+ e
/ [, r5 h7 G+ U3 F9 RBronchoscopy, a test to view the airways4 W7 z9 m3 c+ e2 q; @2 A8 F
Chest CT scan
1 ?! B5 P3 x) i# VChest x-ray
' l. v$ u2 o2 g$ c; @* v$ H( }; \Complete blood count
' z) o8 @5 W6 T6 iLung biopsy
5 ~& Z3 I% _, R$ W& o8 \3 |Lung scan
( @) J/ e/ G+ J5 q/ mPulmonary arteriography
6 `. S+ `# I2 G; W6 V2 N' oSputum culture and smear7 b/ H g8 I* q6 k) W
Test to see if the blood clots normally, such as PT or PTT |