http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003073.htm
4 M N: k( b! p7 b9 WCoughing up bloodEmail this page to a friendShare on facebookShare on twitterBookmark & SharePrinter-friendly version5 q! l; e; z, p' F2 O
Coughing up blood is the spitting up of blood or bloody mucus from the lungs and throat (respiratory tract).
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$ t5 D& e6 F$ y( `6 G: J/ v. d+ hHemoptysis is the medical term for coughing up blood from the respiratory tract.
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" @/ Z) {2 z7 R# r2 r& B$ O7 SConsiderations
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Coughing up blood is not the same as bleeding from the mouth, throat, or gastrointestinal tract.
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Blood 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.7 q8 O) I2 y% ]- S* L" G" _
/ Q) d% O% `' K( A s3 PCauses5 b8 \8 m" i8 J& o" [# M
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A number of conditions, diseases, and medical tests may make you cough up blood, including: p* O3 { }+ u- ^' c5 f
* t( {5 E1 L5 B( `- { bBlood clot in the lung
3 w+ b& N# C! A7 D) S2 o% rBreathing blood into the lungs (pulmonary aspiration)
; j. k1 j0 ]; lBronchoscopy with biopsy; b! j+ J9 Y- C9 j8 r0 g, W
Bronchiectasis
3 b& L# o1 [' B+ \2 ?Bronchitis
" `/ c+ _/ T: [2 rCancer
/ i* e$ L1 {! ]$ y" uCystic fibrosis
7 F, M$ E# a& B! o8 ~Inflammation of the blood vessels in the lung (vasculitis)
% `1 ^7 G: I% x9 P5 `( W2 QInjury to the arteries of the lungs; {# ]" o3 a, i8 |
Irritation of the throat from violent coughing (small amounts of blood)& {. h2 M7 E2 q5 f& Y P
Pneumonia or other lung infections
9 t, J; z. g+ R3 s0 m% o6 r8 uPulmonary edema$ Z& h; l1 j! ]) L
Systemic lupus erythematosus
1 x" _# b# {9 u; J. j. O& BTuberculosis' c5 B# C8 f2 J: z
Home Care
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$ T: I" d% R7 L: C" V0 g) xCough 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.# E& N/ {* y/ [5 s1 Y/ `% \ ^7 x
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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.7 `! n4 Q t. Y& {# y
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When to Contact a Medical Professional
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" i! b/ Q3 ?5 b, f# dGet medical help right away if you cough up blood and have:
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A cough that produces more than a few teaspoons of blood
; C" b% W" C$ o/ b0 l/ j# ^' `Blood in your urine or stools3 _3 v( _9 w( B9 A
Chest pain
& {$ M( D& o5 ~0 e7 dDizziness
1 m2 Q( @+ h3 s- C1 E4 U' `Fever
9 {+ u- J9 O+ u2 `Light-headedness" \0 u$ L0 J5 Q
Severe shortness of breath! Y# y2 t/ D: K0 m$ i7 m3 S
What to Expect at Your Office Visit6 f7 g4 Q3 N5 p3 O( A- R( m( Y6 E) G$ i
$ z# H- i4 c6 u2 C5 d+ c- N$ IIn 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)?+ }) O. Q# n* S+ V: u
Can you see blood when you cough up something?8 R2 p$ P! \: s( I3 s, k
How many times have you coughed up blood?
* I8 [& \ T# e/ A3 M# e, A7 x6 U' HIs there blood-streaked mucus (phlegm)?
8 ^3 f9 G, P+ C( f; S/ _Time pattern* _/ o; D; X. j- f& _1 V
Did it begin suddenly?
9 v% {3 b- _8 {, T% |! kHas it increased recently?" d O" k' Z8 B
For how many weeks has the cough lasted?6 F2 F' a# y0 t0 p
Is the cough worse at night?7 v4 L F7 w! G3 t% t5 {6 T
What other symptoms do you have?
- s9 q* ]. J4 [& m# \The doctor will do a complete physical exam and check your chest and lungs. Tests that may be done include:( o$ w. V: N+ s# i( r% O3 ]6 M. {
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Bronchoscopy, a test to view the airways9 X, r3 [9 p, b8 D
Chest CT scan# K# [) r8 U$ z- H/ n+ y, y
Chest x-ray- W: Q3 e8 K, u/ [' ~
Complete blood count
; @1 M' r" r- r; B- o. J0 A4 i% ALung biopsy
) L+ ^3 Z. |1 }Lung scan- L( J3 s" `1 K- I
Pulmonary arteriography( x4 M) |4 x! O, A/ w' q; N
Sputum culture and smear
7 F* o$ n& I% ~$ G4 o6 A. `! @: sTest to see if the blood clots normally, such as PT or PTT |