Hemoptysis, or coughing up blood in phlegm, can prove to be a distressing and concerning symptom, and can happen due to different underlying causes. The reasons can range from minor to quite severe and life threatening as well. Hence, it is always advisable to not ignore blood in phlegm and consult a medical professional at the earliest. So, before we proceed with understanding the causes behind this condition, let’s first understand what exactly is hemoptysis.
What is Hemoptysis?
Hemoptysis is a medical term, which refers to when you cough up blood from the respiratory tract, which includes nose, lungs, throat, mouth, and passageways reaching the lungs. It can range from minor streaks of blood in phlegm (aka sputum) to even coughing up a considerable amount of blood. The colour and the amount of blood will give you insights into the probable underlying cause, which is why it is important to consult your doctor.
The blood which comes due to hemoptysis is usually bubbly as it mixes with mucus and air present in the lungs. Its colour may be somewhat rust or bright red, while the sputum might entirely be covered in blood or show some red-shaded stains. At times, coughing up a slight amount of blood might not be a cause of concern but if you notice blood in phlegm and no cough, you should seek medical attention without any delay.
Many people also tend to mix up hemoptysis (coughing up blood) and hematemesis (vomiting blood). The former happens when you spit up blood mixed with mucus, while in hematemesis, there is bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract which results in vomiting of blood. Now that we have a fair idea of what hemoptysis is, let’s delve deeper and understand its causes, treatment, and prevention options.
What Can Lead to Blood in Phlegm?
Blood in phlegm may be due to various causes and is usually diagnosed whether it is severe or minor on the basis of the amount of blood loss. Most of the causes can be treated easily, while some underlying causes, like lung cancer, may require major medical intervention too. Now, let’s look at the 7 major causes of blood in phlegm.
1. Asthma
Known to be leading causes for coughing up blood, asthma attacks accompany symptoms like wheezing and difficulty breathing, apart from coughing. At present, there is no complete cure for asthma but there are some OTC treatments as well as lifestyle changes, which help alleviate the symptoms among asthmatics.
2. Nosebleeds
Nosebleed is one issue, which everyone might have experienced once in a lifetime. Majority of the times, nosebleeds are not a cause of concern and are usually owing to minor causes like dryness of nose, allergies, sinus, overuse of nasal sprays or nose picking. Nosebleeds may also cause blood in mucus from your throat and nose. You must be wondering how and why you are coughing up blood because of a nosebleed? This is because while lying down or sitting, the blood may travel to the throat, which may result in spitting up blood but no cough.
3. Infection in Respiratory Tract
This is another major factor which leads to a person coughing up blood. Some of the major infections in the respiratory tract are bronchitis, laryngitis, and pneumonia. People afflicted with respiratory tract infections may also show signs of cold, fever, and tiredness. At times, these infections are not so severe and can go away by taking some antibiotics or OTC medications, while severe ones may even require immediate medical attention, like administration of intravenous fluids and breathing treatments.
4. Tuberculosis
TB, or tuberculosis, can be a life-threatening disease, if not treated timely. This lung infection is also capable of spreading to other parts of the body. This disease is contagious and may spread from one person to another. Some of the common symptoms of TB are coughing up blood, chronic cough, weight loss, and night sweats. This disorder is usually treated using antibiotics but in case of severe TB, the patient may need oxygen and other forms of therapies.
5. Issues in Blood Vessels
Although rare, issues in blood vessels of the lungs may also cause a person to spit blood. Pulmonary embolism, a situation where a blood clot is developed in the lungs, may result in you coughing up blood. Those who smoke or have had a history of blood clots are at a higher risk. The blood vessel issues are highly critical and may prove to be life threatening if not treated on time. The management of these issues depends on the severity and location of the cause and accordingly the medical professional may recommend surgery and/or prescribing blood thinners.
6. COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an umbrella term given to a group of disorders, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, wherein alveoli present in the lungs are damaged. This makes it difficult for the lungs to exchange gas, thus making it hard to breathe. Some of the symptoms of COPD are tightness in the chest, occasional shortness of breath, and mild cough. These signs can aggravate over time and can cause blood in phlegm, wheezing, swelling of feet and legs, chronic cough, frequent respiratory infections, blue or greyish fingernails.
7. Cancer
Coughing up blood may be a sign of cancer, including those of lungs. Heavy smokers are at a high risk of developing lung cancer. Some of the common symptoms of lung cancer are shortness of breath, wheezing, unexplained and persistent fatigue, weight loss, and chronic cough. Treatment is dependent on the type and progression of cancer. The line of treatment might include surgeries, radiation, or chemotherapy.
Apart from the causes listed above, you can also have blood in phlegm along with a sore throat. This might be attributed to strep throat or other respiratory infections. Hence, it is better to have a word with your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment Options for Hemoptysis
There are diverse treatment options available for relieving symptoms and treating the ailment. The line of treatment also depends on the amount of blood in phlegm coupled with the severity and nature of disease. Some of the treatment and management options are:
- Antibiotics/steroids for managing bacterial infection or inflammation
- Removal of a blood clot, if any
- Cough suppressants may be prescribed for a persistent cough
- Chemo or radiation therapies in case of cancer
- Embolization method for treating blood in phlegm which results from bronchial artery damage
- Treating blood clotting problems by transfusing clotting factors, plasma or platelets in the blood
- In case of severe bleeding, surgery might also be an option
Conclusion
As seen above, blood in phlegm can be owing to different causes, some of which are benign and some critical. However, in both the cases, it is always suggested to consult a medical professional for timely and accurate diagnosis for the underlying concerns. Make sure to inform your doctor about the colour and texture of coughed up blood in phlegm in detail as on that basis, they will be able to recommend proper treatment for ensuring your overall health and well-being.
