What is Coughing Up Blood?
Also known as hemoptysis, coughing up blood is a condition where someone coughs up blood.
Coughing up blood itself is a form of symptom that can arise due to a number of conditions, both serious and not.
If experienced by young people who have a good health history, this is usually not a sign of a serious illness.
On the other hand, if the person experiencing this is known to have a history of poor health or is a smoker, then there is a possibility that coughing up blood is a symptom of a serious condition.
Symptoms of Coughing Up Blood
Coughing up blood occurs when a person coughs up blood.
The amount of blood coughed up can vary, depending on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause of the coughing up of blood.
In contrast to vomiting blood which is usually dark in color like coffee, hemoptysis or coughing up blood is bright red.
Sometimes, the blood that comes out when coughing looks frothy because it is mixed with air.
This blood can appear in large amounts with phlegm or just as small spots.
Depending on the cause, there are also additional symptoms that can appear with coughing up blood, such as:
- Coughing persists for several weeks before the onset of coughing up blood
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Excessive sweating at night
- Feeling tired and weak in the body
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
Risk Factors for Coughing Up Blood
There are a number of factors that can increase a person’s risk of coughing up blood, including:
- Having respiratory diseases. Examples include bronchitis, lung infection or pneumonia, tuberculosis, pulmonary hypertension, lung cancer, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary edema, and aspergillosis.
- People who take blood-thinning medications, where coughing up blood is a side effect of taking these medications.
- People who suffer from autoimmune problems such as lupus, and Wegener’s granulomatosis.
- Using drugs or other illegal substances.
- Having heart failure, especially caused by mitral valve disease.
Call Doctor If You Cough Up Blood
If you experience symptoms of coughing up blood, immediately contact a doctor to explain the symptoms you are experiencing.
Because the condition experienced may be a sign of a serious respiratory condition.
Additionally, seek immediate medical attention if:
- You start coughing up blood after a fall or chest injury.
- Blood spots or stains are also present in the urine or feces.
- Coughing up blood accompanied by chest pain, dizziness, fever, lightheadedness, or shortness of breath.
The doctor will recommend a health check to find out the exact cause of coughing up blood.
Causes of Coughing Up Blood
Some conditions that can cause coughing up blood include:
- Bronchitis, a disease caused by a bacterial or viral infection, causes the airways to become inflamed. Coughing up blood caused by this condition rarely becomes serious or life-threatening.
- Severe, persistent cough.
- Bronchiectasis is a type of lung disease that also causes mucus to build up in the airways.
- Lung infections cause sufferers to produce colored or purulent phlegm, as well as shortness of breath accompanied by fever.
- Pulmonary edema or fluid buildup, usually occurs in people with pulmonary edema who are also diagnosed with heart problems. The blood that comes out when coughing will have a foamy texture and be pink in color.
- Pulmonary embolism or blood clots that cause sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.
- Tuberculosis or TB is a type of severe lung infection. In addition to coughing up blood, TB can also cause sufferers to experience fever and excessive sweating.
- Throat cancer.
- Lung cancer.
- Serious injuries, for example, due to traffic accidents or being hit by a weapon.
- Side effects of blood thinners.
- Side effects of drug use.
- Gastric ulcer or stomach pain.
Apart from these conditions, coughing up blood can also be caused by bleeding in the throat, mouth or nose which mixes with saliva when the sufferer coughs.
Diagnosis of Coughing Up Blood
Apart from bleeding in the mouth, throat, or nose, coughing up blood can also be caused by certain health conditions.
Therefore, a medical examination needs to be carried out to truly diagnose what the cause is.
Generally, the doctor will perform an initial physical assessment to determine the severity.
The physical assessment includes a discussion of symptoms and checking the person’s ability to breathe.
A doctor may also try to understand your overall health status by testing:
- Blood pressure.
- Heart rate.
- Respiratory rate.
- Oxygen saturation.
Furthermore, the doctor can also perform several additional tests, including the following:
- Blood test. The doctor will take a blood sample to determine what disease or condition may be causing the condition.
- X-rays. A radiographer can use these images to look for damage or other problems in the chest.
- CT angiography. In this test, a person will receive an intravenous injection of a special dye before the CT scan. This dye shows up as a contrast tone on the CT scan images. Medical professionals can then assess what may be causing the bleeding in the lungs and how severe it is.
- Bronchoscopy. A doctor will move a thin, lighted tube, called a bronchoscope, into the person’s nose or mouth and down their throat into the lungs. A camera on the instrument will allow the doctor to look for visible signs of bleeding.
- Lung biopsy. In a lung biopsy, the doctor will remove and examine a piece of tissue from the lung.
- Lung VQ scan. Your doctor may also use a lung VQ scan to evaluate blood flow and airflow to your lungs.
Treatment for Coughing Up Blood
Treatment for coughing up blood will vary, depending on the underlying cause through the results of a medical examination.
It should be noted that the goal of treatment is not only to stop, but also to cure the cause. The types of treatment are as follows:
- If the cause of coughing up blood is simple throat irritation from excessive coughing, your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter throat lozenges and cough suppressants.
- Administration of antibiotics for bacterial lung infections, such as tuberculosis or pneumonia.
- Administer steroids if the cough is caused by inflammation.
- Radiation therapy or chemotherapy if coughing up blood is caused by lung cancer.
- Bronchial artery embolization if the cough is caused by bleeding in the arteries. Through this method, the doctor will block the problematic artery using a substance or even a metal coil and divert blood circulation to other, healthier arteries. Identification of the source of bleeding can be assisted by a catheter through a monitor.
- Surgery, to treat symptoms of coughing up blood due to life-threatening conditions, such as lung removal surgery for severe lung disease.
Prevention of Coughing Up Blood
You can prevent coughing up blood by avoiding the diseases that trigger it.
Some habits that can help maintain respiratory health include:
- Ensure good air circulation in the house
- Avoid smoking habits
- Wash your hands regularly
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in the workplace
- Living a healthy lifestyle, such as eating vegetables and fruit, and exercising regularly