http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003073.htm. j! x( V& v8 G- q/ Y3 ~
Coughing up bloodEmail this page to a friendShare on facebookShare on twitterBookmark & SharePrinter-friendly version% G. z+ N* ?) d
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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3 E/ d) z- E4 j0 _$ S5 ZConsiderations
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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.
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Causes0 q0 e1 O! i! G: C. h
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A number of conditions, diseases, and medical tests may make you cough up blood, including:
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Blood clot in the lung
3 Z% z! N. [9 R* |' ?4 WBreathing blood into the lungs (pulmonary aspiration)3 U S2 P& K4 U3 W! x" j3 @1 F
Bronchoscopy with biopsy; ^, D2 n& U& O# Q. j, \
Bronchiectasis
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Cancer/ \6 Z: N3 {- _+ T( R. F0 b) Y
Cystic fibrosis
* J3 B2 ~+ P0 r+ o$ _( i, P3 ?1 wInflammation of the blood vessels in the lung (vasculitis). Q+ y3 m3 |6 X+ ]: {
Injury to the arteries of the lungs
1 k6 N! v5 s: L5 UIrritation of the throat from violent coughing (small amounts of blood)
" S- u; }' j( B. G* ^) Y' sPneumonia or other lung infections/ Q$ j$ ?* D% G4 T F; _
Pulmonary edema6 M+ b/ `4 \0 e- p5 y
Systemic lupus erythematosus8 i2 t) U5 `3 ? q, h0 |* ?2 Z
Tuberculosis L# e# ~) r6 X, A' U, h$ Z
Home Care! E9 Z+ S& C! e; f0 ] M" ^
7 J! V7 l- y$ }$ a1 o& ECough 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.# ]4 x* n9 E7 q9 M1 ^, H
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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." a/ h# e' l, H8 W
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When to Contact a Medical Professional; ?8 F1 T# R- n! a9 c9 w6 E8 L
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Get medical help right away if you cough up blood and have:& R( U3 Y8 Q8 D' `+ H
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A cough that produces more than a few teaspoons of blood
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Dizziness
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Light-headedness' W& L/ e3 V1 ^0 R3 ~
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:4 z8 J0 N P0 u; B7 @4 y ?
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Type
+ x, @4 y# }% t7 d* o9 m, s5 k* MAre you coughing up large amounts of blood (massive hemoptysis)?
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) ^4 t! h" {$ m9 P; E9 T1 BHow many times have you coughed up blood?
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Time pattern- e" l* K6 [6 @9 e5 k
Did it begin suddenly?
5 t- u" S M9 k. Q! yHas it increased recently?
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Is the cough worse at night?
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The doctor will do a complete physical exam and check your chest and lungs. Tests that may be done include:& F V- b1 `" d
) v& o6 W% i+ `2 b" Y1 ~Bronchoscopy, a test to view the airways
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Chest x-ray) i. c) m. V. ]* q4 o
Complete blood count" C6 U. ]+ M" K. i! g0 O0 G
Lung biopsy( U( R7 R8 D8 A7 ?
Lung scan0 Q) G: I9 {$ M4 S% k
Pulmonary arteriography
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