Understanding Coughing Up Blood (Hemoptysis)
Coughing Up Blood or Hemoptysis is a condition when a person coughs up blood. Coughing up blood itself is a form of symptom that can arise from several conditions, both serious and not. If coughing up blood is experienced by young people who have a good medical history, this is usually not a sign of a serious illness. However, if the person experiencing it is known to have a history of poor health or is a smoker, then it is possible to cough up this blood as a symptom of a serious condition.
There are various forms of coughing up blood, some are accompanied by blood that is frothy or pink in color, and some are accompanied by blood mixed with mucus. See a doctor or go to the hospital immediately if you experience:
- Cough is accompanied by phlegm mixed with blood.
- Cough with a large volume of blood.
- Coughing up blood with symptoms of weight loss and loss of appetite.
- Coughing up blood is accompanied by symptoms of shortness of breath, fever, dizziness, night sweats, and chest pain.
- Coughing up blood is accompanied by urine or feces that are also mixed with blood.
- Coughing up blood that lasts more than a week.
- Coughing up blood that often appears and goes away.
Causes Of Coughing Up Blood (Hemoptysis)
Some conditions that can cause coughing up blood include:
- Bronchitis. Coughing up blood caused by this condition rarely develops into a serious or life-threatening condition.
- Prolonged severe cough.
- Bronchiectasis. In addition to coughing up blood, this type of lung disease also causes a buildup of mucus in the airways.
- Lung Infection. In addition to coughing up blood, sufferers of this condition will produce colored or purulent phlegm, as well as shortness of breath accompanied by fever.
- Pulmonary Edema or Fluid Buildup. Coughing up blood usually occurs in people with pulmonary edema who are also diagnosed with heart problems. Blood that comes out when coughing will have a frothy texture and pink color.
- Pulmonary Embolism or Blood Clot. In addition to coughing up blood, this condition can cause sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.
- Tuberculosis or TB. This is a group of severe lung infections. In addition to coughing up blood, TB can also cause sufferers to experience fever and excessive sweating.
- Throat Cancer.
- Lung Cancer.
- Serious Injury, for example from a traffic accident or being hit by a gun.
- Side Effects Of Blood Thinning Drugs.
- Side Effects Of Drug Use.
- Stomach Ulcers.
In addition to these conditions, coughing up blood can also be caused by bleeding in the throat, mouth, or nose mixed with saliva when the sufferer coughs.
Diagnosis Of Coughing Up Blood (Hemoptysis)
Apart from the patient's information regarding the medical history, as well as other symptoms that accompany coughing up blood, the diagnosis can also be supported by the following tests:
- Sputum sample examination.
- Blood test. This test covers a lot of things. In addition to red and white blood cell levels, doctors can also measure the patient's electrolytes and kidney function through blood chemistry tests. Doctors can also measure the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood through tests called pulse oximetry and blood gas analysis. In addition, doctors can also measure the ability of blood to clot through a coagulation test.
- Bronchoscopy. This test is done by inserting an instrument called an endoscope into the respiratory tract through the mouth or nose. This tube-shaped device equipped with a camera will help doctors determine the cause of coughing up blood.
- CT scan. This scan aims to produce detailed images of the chest structure.
- X-ray examination of the chest. Through this scan, doctors can find out if there are health problems, such as infection or fluid buildup in the lungs.
Treatment For Coughing Up Blood (Hemoptysis)
Treatment of coughing up blood should be based on the cause. In addition to stopping coughing up blood, the goal of self-medication is to cure the underlying condition. Some types of treatment for coughing up blood include:
- Giving antibiotics for lung infections caused by bacteria, such as tuberculosis or pneumonia.
- Administration of steroids if coughing up blood is caused by inflammation.
- Radiation therapy or chemotherapy if coughing up blood is caused by lung cancer.
- Bronchial artery embolization if coughing up blood results from bleeding within 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 another, healthier artery. Identification of the source of bleeding can be assisted with a catheter through a monitor.
- Surgery to treat symptoms of coughing up blood due to life-threatening conditions, such as surgical removal of a lung in severe lung disease.