What is coughing up blood (hemoptysis)?
Many problems can cause this symptom, ranging from throat irritation to lung cancer. While coughing up blood is not a symptom to ignore, most cases are mild and not serious. This can irritate the airways and possibly cause them to cough up blood when a person has a respiratory infection or heavy cough.
Types of coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
- Dry cough : A dry cough can occur in many people and you can call it an “ineffectual”. It means there is no specific reason for getting a cough and it doesn’t have any kind of mucus in it. Dry cough may occur due to various reasons like irritation, dry respiratory issues, inflammation, or any physical strain.
- Wet cough : Wet cough which can be called “chest cough”. It is very low and heavy. This cough is a productive kind of cough. Here, mucus is expelled from the lungs which leads to chest pain and continues cough. We can get allergies from cold, flu, pneumonia, and allergies. The wet cough can be controlled by reducing the mucus.
- Whooping cough : Whooping cough can be found dangerous as it releases a high amount of oxygen from the lungs. It’s a bacterial infection that is commonly found in many people. But it can cause Pneumonia, asthma attacks, and tuberculosis. If a person is found with Whooping cough he should start getting treatment.
- Burning Cough : The name itself signifies if there is any burning in your throat then it can be called a burning cough. This disease is the symptom of acid reflux and heartburn. The irritation can be felt as a burning sensation and it leads to cough. Medicines that help in reducing the acid in our stomach can help in controlling the acid that is created by the stomach.
- Serious Cough : Some serious cough that requires some medical treatment and more attention by the Doctor. The symptoms that are found in the skin become pale due to lack of oxygen, having a high fever for more than three to four days, and coughing that remains for more than two weeks. These symptoms don’t mean that we have any kind of serious illness but if we are feeling some discomfort and have a high level of cough doctor's consultation should be taken.
Causes of Blood in Cough:
- Bronchitis : Chronic bronchitis is usually behind the appearance of blood. The condition involves persistent or recurrent inflammation of the airways, along with coughing and sputum production.
- Bronchiectasis : This describes a permanent enlargement of parts of the airways in the lungs. It also happens with an infection, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
- Prolonged or severe cough : This can irritate the upper respiratory tract and tear the blood vessels.
- Anticoagulants : These medications prevent the blood from clotting.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) : COPD is a permanent blockage of the airflow in the lungs. It usually causes shortness of breath, coughing, sputum production, and wheezing.
- Pneumonia : Bloody sputum may cause this and other lung infections. Inflammation of the lung tissue, usually because of a bacterial infection, characterized by pneumonia. People with pneumonia appear to have chest pain, exhaustion, fever, sweating, and chills while they are breathing or coughing.
- Pulmonary embolism : It refers to a blood clot in an artery in a lung. It usually causes sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.
- Pulmonary edema : This describes the fluid in the lungs. Pulmonary edema is more common in people with heart conditions. It causes pink, frothy sputum, and severe shortness of breath, sometimes with chest pain.
- Lung cancer : A person is more likely to get lung cancer if they are over 40 and smoke tobacco. It can cause a cough that doesn't go away, shortness of breath, chest pain, and sometimes bone pain or headaches.
- Neck cancer : Usually begins in the throat, larynx, or trachea. It can cause swelling or pain that does not heal, a permanent sore throat, and a red or white patch in the mouth.
- Cystic fibrosis : This inherited condition seriously damages the lungs. It usually causes shortness of breath and a persistent cough with thick mucus. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis. This describes the inflammation of the blood vessels in the sinuses, lungs, and kidneys. A runny nose, nosebleeds, shortness of breath, wheezing, and fever are typically induced.
- Tuberculosis : A bacterium causes this serious lung infection, which can cause fever, sweating, chest pain, pain when breathing or coughing, and a persistent cough.
- Narrow heart valves : A narrowing of the mitral valve of the heart, called stenosis of the mitral valve, may cause shortness of breath, particularly during exertion or when lying down. Swollen feet or legs and heart palpitations or exhaustion, especially with increased physical activity, are other symptoms.
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A serious injury : Chest trauma may cause blood to appear within the sputum.
Other causes include:- Congestive heart failure, especially due to mitral stenosis
- Use of crack cocaine
- Foreign objects in your airways
- Inflammatory or autoimmune disease
- Lung Abscess
- Non-cancerous lung tumors
- Parasitic infection
- Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVM)
- An injury such as a gunshot wound or a car accident
- Use of blood thinners (anticoagulants)
- Endometriosis
- Hughes-Stovin syndrome
- Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
- Sarcoidosis
Diagnosis of Coughing up Blood
Since bloody coughing can range in severity from mild to severe, it's critical to identify the underlying source of your symptoms so that you can get the right care.
Before starting an examination, your doctor will inquire about the amount of blood you have been coughing up and whether any of it is mixed with mucus.
The following tests can be performed:
- A chest computed tomography (CT) scan
- Chest x-ray to look for tumors or fluid in the lungs.
- Lung explorationLung biopsy.
- Bronchoscopy to check if the airway is clear.
- Blood count.
- A sputum culture of lung excretions to look for infection.
- Blood coagulation test.
- Pulmonary arteriography to see how blood is flowing through your lungs.
- Urinalysis
Treatment of Coughing up Blood (hemoptysis)
The treatments aim to stop the bleeding and treat the underlying cause. Possible treatments include:
- Steroids : Steroids can help when there is an inflammatory disease behind the bleeding.
- Antibiotics : In pneumonia or tuberculosis cases, antibiotics are used
- Bronchoscopy : It gives a close look at the potential causes of bleeding. An instrument called an endoscope is inserted into the airway through the nose or mouth. Tools can be attached at the end. Others are intended to avoid bleeding, while others may dissolve a blood clot, for instance.
- Embolizing : A doctor can prescribe a procedure called embolization if a large blood vessel is responsible for the blood in the sputum. a doctor may recommend a procedure called embolization. A catheter is inserted into the vessel, the source of the bleeding is identified, and a metal coil, chemical, or piece of gelatin sponge is used to seal it off.
- Transfusion : Transfusion of products from the blood. When clotting issues or overly thin blood handle the appearance, a transfusion of elements in the blood, such as plasma, clotting factors, or platelets, may need blood in the sputum.
- chemotherapy or radiotherapy : chemotherapy or radiotherapy: These can be used to treat lung cancer.
- Surgery : This may be necessary to remove a cancerous or damaged part of the lung. Surgery is generally considered a last resort and only an option when bleeding is severe or persistent.
Prevention of Coughing up Blood (hemoptysis)
Coughing up blood is a symptom of an illness, condition or illness. Ignoring the symptom can allow the underlying cause to get worse.Prevention is therefore about tackling the problem and getting appropriate treatment. Stopping smoking, as well as avoiding the outdoors when pollution and smog are high, can be beneficial.If you don't ignore a persistent cough, it can also help prevent this symptom.
When to visit a Doctor?
It is important to contact your doctor every time you cough up blood, as it can be a sign of a serious respiratory condition.
Speak to your healthcare provider if you are coughing up tiny quantities of blood for more than a week. They will determine the cause of your hemoptysis.
Seek immediate attention if you are coughing up more than a few teaspoons of blood or if your cough is accompanied by the following:
- Chest pain
- Blood in your urine or stools
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Rapid or severe weight loss
Coughing up blood home remedies
Coughing up blood, also known as hemoptysis, is a potentially serious symptom that should not be treated with home remedies alone. It requires prompt medical attention to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment. While you should not rely solely on home remedies, there are some steps you can take at home to help alleviate discomfort or irritation associated with coughing up blood before seeking medical help:
- Stay Calm : Coughing up blood can be distressing, but it's important to remain as calm as possible.
- Cough Gently : If you need to clear your throat or cough, do so gently to avoid further irritation. Avoid forceful coughing.
- Stay Hydrated : Drink plenty of fluids to keep your respiratory tract moist and to help soothe any irritation.
- Use a Humidifier : Using a humidifier in your room can add moisture to the air and alleviate throat dryness.
- Avoid Irritants : Stay away from smoking, secondhand smoke, and other airborne irritants that can exacerbate the problem.
- Elevate Your Head : Sleeping with your head elevated can help reduce the chances of coughing up blood during the night.
- Avoid Aspirin and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) : These medications can increase the risk of bleeding. If you need pain relief, consider using acetaminophen (Tylenol) instead, unless otherwise advised by a healthcare professional.
- Rest : Get plenty of rest to help your body recover and heal.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What causes someone to cough up blood?
The main cause of coughing up blood is chronic bronchitis or bronchiectasis. Other possible causes of coughing up blood include exacerbation of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) - and worsening of symptoms.
2. What happens if you cough up blood?
A severe medical condition may be a symptom of coughing up blood (hemoptysis). Infections, cancer, and problems with the blood vessels of the lungs themselves may be to blame. Coughing up blood generally requires a medical evaluation, unless the hemoptysis is due to bronchitis.
3. When I cough, is there blood in my mucus?
Hemoptysis is the medical word for blood in the cough. Small amounts of bright red blood or frothy sputum with blood streaks (phlegm) may come up in your coughing. Blood usually comes from the lungs and is often the result of a prolonged cough or a chest infection.
4. Why is there blood in mucus?
If you observe the presence of blood in your nasal mucus, there are several potential causes to consider. Dry air or excessive force while blowing your nose can occasionally result in this occurrence. Additionally, allergies or infections, such as colds can contribute to nosebleeds. Furthermore, a bump or scratch inside your nose may be the underlying reason. If you frequently experience nosebleeds or they are particularly severe, it is advisable to consult a medical professional to determine the cause and seek appropriate assistance.
