Hemoptysis is the coughing of blood or bloody sputum from the respiratory tract. There are many causes of hemoptysis, and the most common are lung and bronchial diseases (bronchitis or pneumonia, bronchiectasis, lung cancer, tuberculosis). Not every blood discharge comes from the lower respiratory tract. Hemoptysis can be one symptom of lung cancer and should not be taken lightly. Hemoptysis is the coughing of blood or bloody sputum from the respiratory tract
Coughing up blood usually comes from the bronchial blood vessels. Hemoptysis is a disturbing symptom that requires consultation with a doctor. Sometimes it is not easy for the patient to tell if the blood is spit out from the lower respiratory tract, mouth, nasal or digestive system (e.g. bloody vomiting). It should be remembered that hemoptysis may be the only symptomof lung cancerand therefore requires diagnosis.
In this article, Niketrainers.com.co will tell you:
Pseudo haemoptysis
Pseudohemoptysis is the coughing of blood that comes from the mouth or nasopharynx (discharge with blood from the nasal cavity may run down the throat).
The causes of hemoptysis
There are many causes of hemoptysis, so it is important to see a doctor who will carry out an appropriate diagnosis.
Common causes of hemoptysis
- inflammation of the bronchior lungs ( you may see traces of blood in your sputum when youcough ),
- bronchiectasis(profuse coughing up of blood-stained sputum)
- lung cancer (thereforehemoptysis without other respiratory symptoms always requires contact with a doctor!),
- tuberculosis.
Moderately common causes of hemoptysis
- pulmonary embolism(often accompanied by suddenbreathlessness,chest pain),
- heartfailure
- lung injuries, also caused by medical procedures (e.g. after procedures such asbronchoscopyor lung biopsy),
- lung cancersother than cancer.
Rare causes of hemoptysis
- aspergillosis,
- coagulation disorders,
- stenosis of the mitral valve,
- infection with certain parasites,
- pulmonary hypertension,
- vasculitis and connective tissue diseases (Goodpasture’s disease,systemic lupus erythematosus, Wegener’s granulomatosis),
- drugs: anticoagulants, fibrinolytics, acetylsalicylic acid,
- taking cocaine
- foreign body in the respiratory tract,
- idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis,
- amyloidosis.
Hemoptysis – diagnosis
When the patient reports to the doctor for hemoptysis, the doctor will ask about the amount and type of coughing up (purulent, bloody, pink, foamy, coughing up blood only), and about the circumstances of the hemoptysis. It is important whether the patient smokes and whether there are other symptoms (e.g.fever, weight loss etc.) or chronic diseases (e.g. coagulation disorders, pulmonary hypertension). Then he will examine the patient. Depending on the suspected cause of haemoptysis, your doctor will recommend additional tests, which may includea chest X-ray(in some cases also acomputerized tomography scan).), blood laboratory tests – blood count, coagulation tests, sometimes also bronchoscopy. Some patients may be referred by the doctor for an ENT consultation if he suspects that the coughing up blood is from the upper respiratory tract.
Management of haemoptysis
In case of haemoptysis, it is always necessary to contact a doctor. It is urgent to call an ambulance if:
- the amount of coughing up blood is high
- haemoptysis is accompanied by shortness of breath and / or sudden chest pain.