Coughing blood or hemoptysis is the production of blood or blood-streaked mucus from the respiratory tract. The usual causes of coughing blood include pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis, lung abscess and pulmonary embolism. Nevertheless, even medical tests and procedures are possible causes such as tonsillectomy or bronchoscopy.
The blood-streaked cough appears frothy or bubbly since it is mixed with air and mucus from the lungs. The individual might have significant amount of blood or the mucus might appear streaked with blood that can be pinkish, bright red or brick-colored.
What are the accompanying symptoms?
- General feeling of being sick
If cough that contains blood is not properly controlled or left untreated, it can become serious and even dangerous. - Chills
- Leg pain and swelling
- Unexplained weight loss
Possible causes of coughing blood
Various respiratory ailments can trigger coughing blood where most are serious conditions. Nevertheless, the source of the blood might be hard to determine in some instances. Blood that does not originate from the lungs might be spit up from the nose or throat. The blood might be swallowed and regurgitated from the stomach.
Usual causes
The other possible causes that can be dangerous including the following:
- Chest trauma
- Aortic aneurysm
- Anticoagulated state (individual utilizes blood thinning medications)
- Blood clot in the lung
- Heart diseases such as congestive heart failure and mitral stenosis
- Tuberculosis
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary aspiration
- Lung abscess
- Lung cancer
- Foreign objects
- Using cocaine
- COPD
- Cystic fibrosis
- Fat embolism
- Legionnaire’s disease
What are the possible complications?
If cough that contains blood is not properly controlled or left untreated, it can become serious and even dangerous. Over time, coughing blood can result to serious complications such as shock, anemia and severe blood loss.