http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003073.htm# z2 u+ B' N2 ^3 A4 V, \
Coughing up bloodEmail this page to a friendShare on facebookShare on twitterBookmark & SharePrinter-friendly version
8 A6 |5 {1 w. J) a. r' qCoughing up blood is the spitting up of blood or bloody mucus from the lungs and throat (respiratory tract).
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5 z! l7 u4 ~! y7 uHemoptysis is the medical term for coughing up blood from the respiratory tract.7 p; S# T$ @& G5 v" T8 H
" N# O2 V' g' k+ k) v/ C5 OConsiderations
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' r% o$ i; C" A8 uCoughing up blood is not the same as bleeding from the mouth, throat, or gastrointestinal tract.
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: _; @* r& ^( J% ?/ LBlood 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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9 i) }6 d) F2 u5 b3 w1 m" U, R: }Causes
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A number of conditions, diseases, and medical tests may make you cough up blood, including:0 j. n8 R% }8 @8 M8 K$ [( x. b
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Blood clot in the lung
. h! Q$ Q! u: k; RBreathing blood into the lungs (pulmonary aspiration)/ s! b/ t! v' v% j) Y
Bronchoscopy with biopsy
# R% M* H" s3 V' f4 ~# ZBronchiectasis' U( m& l# G0 E# A
Bronchitis/ q& Z# d: q# R# p$ b( w0 y
Cancer
/ t0 r0 z* m; o: y& _Cystic fibrosis* L4 a9 U6 w' t0 R; Z: l
Inflammation of the blood vessels in the lung (vasculitis)
( ~/ ]6 i2 a8 @Injury to the arteries of the lungs% C8 T( z+ x. a) O2 f+ Q5 |
Irritation of the throat from violent coughing (small amounts of blood)5 F2 [5 [5 s+ h/ {% l
Pneumonia or other lung infections
1 o7 k- V D+ J/ i3 tPulmonary edema
/ V5 E4 m0 u, e7 b6 u3 ~; [9 u) ^9 OSystemic lupus erythematosus9 J/ b2 J( B2 w8 @
Tuberculosis
, y, G/ j- S$ v* g* p* C- YHome Care6 W, {+ y8 ~9 Z I% R. E" B
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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.
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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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When to Contact a Medical Professional
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4 o, m5 x5 ]) U, \$ l4 R" HGet medical help right away if you cough up blood and have:
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8 r1 y5 o/ Q7 R( ZA cough that produces more than a few teaspoons of blood% ] s7 F' f) U7 \" ^
Blood in your urine or stools
; D3 x, N/ O% `, f. BChest pain0 R# P* [1 a8 g1 M( ~# w3 P+ f. I
Dizziness
5 P R5 o" T6 {- `7 V! t _0 rFever
' r0 d7 H$ }! G' n3 a$ lLight-headedness
" ~. c; [6 N" I. g, ?8 lSevere shortness of breath
0 |- {* ~- w8 \. p6 dWhat to Expect at Your Office Visit1 O* i" Y8 w1 x" `3 Q5 j2 I0 p
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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:, Q* @( s0 Y+ G' X
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Type
' d l0 K# a7 h& m4 M8 AAre you coughing up large amounts of blood (massive hemoptysis)?3 J: L% Q( O b( J; b" x8 I
Can you see blood when you cough up something?
' S: y& F5 H, ~* U/ K+ OHow many times have you coughed up blood?
, {4 O! T) J* C% c5 s" j: bIs there blood-streaked mucus (phlegm)?
! L/ \2 Z& u1 l+ E. A% ATime pattern
6 x3 _- ^& _9 xDid it begin suddenly?# p v t; n4 m# K0 _. s: S5 H5 ?
Has it increased recently?
, O" D1 |3 t) Y. F( `4 MFor how many weeks has the cough lasted?. O8 u4 k* x' }# H7 M) \# S
Is the cough worse at night?8 v& n" r' N: K
What other symptoms do you have?
" N& z' H; b1 v& o+ N6 l2 DThe doctor will do a complete physical exam and check your chest and lungs. Tests that may be done include:
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Bronchoscopy, a test to view the airways) w1 ~& o9 V, X+ V6 r
Chest CT scan& d5 w7 V- @+ w) W0 U
Chest x-ray
) n$ z4 a" _9 o# YComplete blood count8 ^2 [; ~* l/ m1 k, z
Lung biopsy2 n7 q4 d. S4 j0 _; ^' |
Lung scan
! K: e. g1 r- ePulmonary arteriography
( d$ q) G3 K1 N8 aSputum culture and smear! G, g# D6 ~/ A$ V; |
Test to see if the blood clots normally, such as PT or PTT |