If you’re coughing up blood, you’re probably pretty alarmed. While this symptom, known as hemoptysis, can occasionally be a sign of something serious, in many cases, it’s not. Below we review everything you need to know about hemoptysis.
Classifying Hemoptysis
The amount of blood you’re coughing up can help indicate the problem’s severity. There are generally three ways to classify hemoptysis:
- Scant hemoptysis. This means there is a small amount of blood in the saliva and mucus. It may appear pink or show up in streaks.
- Mild to moderate hemoptysis. This means there’s more than a streak. Objectively, it means the blood volume totals less than one half cup of blood in 24 hours.
- Massive hemoptysis. This means up to one quart of blood is coughed up within 24 hours.
Causes of Hemoptysis
Sometimes, blood can come from an area above the vocal cords, like the mouth or nose; this is known as pseudohymoptysis. Hemoptysis, on the other hand, is defined as “the expectoration of blood, alone or mixed with mucus, from the lower respiratory tract. It occurs in around 10% of patients with chronic lung disease,” according to a study published in 2017.
Common causes of hemoptysis include:
- Infection. Infections that can cause coughing up blood include pneumonia, bronchitis, fungal infection and tuberculosis.
- Medications. Blood thinners such as Coumadin (warfarin), Elquis (apixaban), Plavix (clopidogrel) and Xarelto (rivaroxaban) are associated with high risk of bleeding, including hemoptysis.
- Cancer. This can occur in the lung or within the blood vessel.
- Pulmonary embolism. This is a blood clot that is lodged in the lung.
Treating Hemoptysis
If you’re coughing up blood, it’s important to see a medical professional right away. They can diagnose the underlying problem and recommend appropriate treatment. This may include:
- Medications. Picking up prescription medications from Stephens Compounding Pharmacy can address bleeding caused by infection or inflammation.
- Cancer treatment. If your hemoptysis is caused by cancer, treatments such as surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy can be effective.
- Procedures. Certain procedures such as bronchoscopy, bronchial artery embolization and other surgeries can stop the bleeding.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Palmetto ENT & Allergy today.