http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003073.htm
: W' w1 a% q& u. Y# [ \Coughing up bloodEmail this page to a friendShare on facebookShare on twitterBookmark & SharePrinter-friendly version
( ?, W' W- ?4 |Coughing up blood is the spitting up of blood or bloody mucus from the lungs and throat (respiratory tract).
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Hemoptysis is the medical term for coughing up blood from the respiratory tract.
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Considerations
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- s3 Z, e; h% G; r0 RCoughing up blood is not the same as bleeding from the mouth, throat, or gastrointestinal tract.
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5 E1 a0 l* k( ^9 t" v" CBlood 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.5 w( W X3 n' r4 U
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Causes9 e% A$ W0 B* a' v4 P; n
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A number of conditions, diseases, and medical tests may make you cough up blood, including:
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) G" z7 y8 m" ?0 E- H0 HBlood clot in the lung9 Z7 ?& ], K. O
Breathing blood into the lungs (pulmonary aspiration)3 I- i4 S3 r8 e- f/ c4 R7 O
Bronchoscopy with biopsy
3 D- e5 _. j5 P. vBronchiectasis4 R* `7 c9 r4 z% v
Bronchitis
' V( F9 B, Y2 Q7 B0 Y; CCancer0 T3 w" P- u$ ^
Cystic fibrosis
' K1 G* ?. I4 E2 kInflammation of the blood vessels in the lung (vasculitis), K6 B+ z7 V* J' u1 D
Injury to the arteries of the lungs( ^+ t- c9 {' x5 J
Irritation of the throat from violent coughing (small amounts of blood)% j1 `) W" G9 u( L# u+ {) C
Pneumonia or other lung infections$ t* g3 j) S% i$ X, F
Pulmonary edema* }# s% o( D0 k
Systemic lupus erythematosus# t. a5 o% @& ?
Tuberculosis: K4 t3 x, H& F! k) b% h* ^
Home Care8 s' T! x4 L1 T1 B; D
) S& j6 t8 E% @5 q7 q$ W" T9 bCough 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.& o6 u6 E- q) K3 {9 A
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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./ E; P: w {! P- R: }
. B9 G- g; D/ q# E6 GWhen to Contact a Medical Professional! V0 }, Z9 s% a2 P1 v, j
/ @) m6 p9 S( Y0 ZGet medical help right away if you cough up blood and have:" Q( ?% ^6 E0 c* |- C( B3 `
Y3 M3 y* r& D: p! l, gA cough that produces more than a few teaspoons of blood
3 M/ Q* B3 d$ M! P k8 g( pBlood in your urine or stools. C/ ~. W0 S$ _- f B5 s
Chest pain
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Light-headedness- K4 ~% D/ m% `# \8 Y: l
Severe shortness of breath
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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:
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Are you coughing up large amounts of blood (massive hemoptysis)?
- r) [" _6 R! w9 o% T, v9 rCan you see blood when you cough up something?# h$ t( J' ?0 c3 p0 e2 {. B' p
How many times have you coughed up blood?! C% e( `! [$ @- c, [
Is there blood-streaked mucus (phlegm)?
$ _5 I3 {/ i' d \0 g7 P* dTime pattern
* q. n0 l7 a2 O6 G: z) t: EDid it begin suddenly?
* g. U5 W6 a) e$ L6 ]" DHas it increased recently?
! d8 x- t" A: _+ y0 y, RFor how many weeks has the cough lasted?
1 B n% j3 d3 V0 |: iIs the cough worse at night?
' _% u# c8 b1 FWhat other symptoms do you have?
5 ]: W7 ^( C5 bThe doctor will do a complete physical exam and check your chest and lungs. Tests that may be done include:) p' \8 l5 K2 V: Y* d" i# h
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Bronchoscopy, a test to view the airways
5 G3 B4 X3 R# l/ I; \Chest CT scan
' W4 Z, G1 p3 W. o9 n9 oChest x-ray
" b+ L0 w7 }' ?2 X6 o- nComplete blood count7 f8 ~4 r0 h, K6 u% W5 j
Lung biopsy
( Y& O9 [& {& |% N: p" j0 d+ J" ALung scan7 V5 X8 h* @( K
Pulmonary arteriography
& V! a6 B1 q# X" RSputum culture and smear: R# t- s) Q; W y
Test to see if the blood clots normally, such as PT or PTT |