Bloody mucus or blood can be coughed up or spit out from the lower respiratory tract (lungs and throat). Coughing up blood, also known as hemoptysis (pronounced "he-MOP-tih-sis"), is a common occurrence and has a variety of causes. Most of the causes are not significant. However, if you're coughing up a lot of blood, you might need to go right away to the ER.
When you cough up blood, it frequently appears bubbly or frothy and is combined with mucus or spit. It often exists in minute concentrations and might seem pink, crimson, or rust-coloured.
An individual may cough up blood for a variety of reasons, from throat inflammation to lung cancer.
A respiratory infection or a persistent cough can irritate the airways and perhaps lead to blood in the cough. The most frequent reasons for coughing up blood during an outpatient appointment at a doctor's office, per data from 2015, are:
Patients who cough up blood are more likely to have the following conditions when they are hospitalized (inpatients):
However, TB is the most frequent reason for bloody coughing in the entire world.
There are a few potentially harmful reasons why someone can cough up blood. These need to be seen by a doctor right away. Examples comprise:
Blood in the cough is another side effect of some medical treatments and testing. These examinations and procedures comprise:
To ascertain the cause of your bloody cough, your healthcare professional will examine you physically, go over your medical history, and ask you questions. They might query:
In addition, your healthcare provider might inquire about risky habits like smoking or using drugs. They can inquire about additional symptoms you've been having to pinpoint potential explanations.
To determine the underlying reason, they could carry out any of the tests listed below:
Depending on what they think is causing you to cough up blood, your doctor may carry out more procedures or request additional tests.
The course of treatment will depend on how much blood you've lost and what's making you cough up blood. In the intensive care unit, you will receive care if you are losing a lot of blood (ICU). Before determining what is causing your blood loss, your care team will strive to stabilize you and stop the bleeding.
The following are possible treatments for severe blood loss caused by coughing up blood:
Your healthcare practitioner will discuss the best course of action to manage your symptoms and the underlying problem once they have ascertained what is making you cough up blood.
The following are some treatments for diseases that could make you cough up blood:
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