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Hemoptysis is the coughing up of blood from the lungs, which can be caused by various conditions such as lung disease or trauma. It is important to seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause and receive proper treatment. Diagnosis can involve physical exams, medical imaging, and blood tests, and treatment may include antibiotics, steroids, or analgesics. Patients should cover their mouth and use a container to measure the amount of blood.
Hemoptysis is a medical symptom characterized by spitting or coughing up blood from the lungs. The blood can be in the form of pure blood or blood-stained sputum and can come from the upper or lower airways. Conversely, in hematemesis, a condition characterized by vomiting blood, the blood may also come from the gastrointestinal tract. While hemoptysis may seem alarming, the cause is often very treatable, as long as the patient receives proper medical care. When going to the doctor to have the problem addressed, it is helpful to be able to provide information about when the hemoptysis started and any other associated symptoms, ranging from chest pain to fatigue.
Any number of things can lead to hemoptysis, including an airway obstruction, trauma to the lungs, use of blood thinner medications, or lung disease. Bronchitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, aspergilloma, and pulmonary emboli can lead to hemoptysis, as can a number of other diseases and conditions that affect the lungs. Determining the etiology of the symptom is critical, as hemoptysis can often be resolved by treating the underlying cause.
Doctors can use a variety of techniques to diagnose the root cause, including a physical exam, interview, medical imaging studies, and blood tests. In some cases, a pulmonary specialist may be consulted so that their expertise in the field of lung conditions can be used in the approach to diagnosis and treatment. If patients have severe hemoptysis, a blood transfusion may be given to compensate for the blood loss.
Treatment for the underlying condition causing hemoptysis is varied, depending on what the condition is. Antibiotics and steroids may be given to reduce inflammation and prevent infection in patients with hemoptysis while the cause is diagnosed and a treatment plan is developed. If the condition is associated with painful bleeding into the trachea, the patient may also be given analgesic medications to manage the pain.
Coughing up blood can be very uncomfortable, as well as quite frightening. Patients who start spitting or coughing up blood should book an appointment with a doctor to have the problem addressed. Using handkerchiefs to cover your mouth or spitting into a partially closed bowl is recommended to reduce the risk of spreading disease to nearby people. Using a closed container can also provide an idea of how much blood is being bred, which can be helpful in diagnosis.
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