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Common Causes of Hemoptysis

Hemoptysis, or the coughing up of blood, is a medical condition that is either indicative of a more serious underlying disease or disorder, or it is the result of certain medical tests that have irritated your respiratory tract. Under certain circumstances, this condition will require emergency medical attention. Hemoptysis can have many causes and symptoms, and the indicators would determine whether you should seek medical attention.

  1. Definition

    • It is not normal to cough up blood from your respiratory tract. There are generally two degrees of seriousness of coughing up blood. You might cough up so much that breathing is impaired, which requires immediate medical treatment. Or you may cough up small amounts of blood, which should prompt you to visit your doctor to ensure it isn't the beginning of a more serious condition. If you are a smoker, it is more likely that hemoptysis is indicative of a serious problem.

    Systemic Causes

    • Causes of this condition vary from severe illness to minor problems such as nosebleeds that drip blood into the lungs. Serious conditions include blood clot in the lung, bronchiectasis, cancer, cystic fibrosis, Goodpasture's syndrome, inflammation of the blood vessels in the lung (vasculitis), inhaling blood into the lungs (pulmonary aspiration), pulmonary edema, pneumonia, systemic lupus erythematosus and tuberculosis. More minor causes include bronchitis, irritation of the throat from violent coughing, nosebleed that drips blood down into the lungs and laryngitis.

    Other Causes

    • Medical tests such as a bronchoscopy, laryngoscopy, lung biopsy, mediastinoscopy, spirometry, tonsillectomy and upper airway biopsy can all cause you to cough up blood. However, it is considered as a side effect of the test, thus not serious in and of itself.

    Other Symptoms

    • Certain symptoms that may accompany hemoptysis should be noted as they may help your doctor pinpoint the cause. If coughing up blood is accompanied by dizziness, light-headedness or thirst, it could be indicative of severe blood loss. Blood in the urine, chest pain, fever and shortness of breath are other indicators of a more severe underlying cause that requires immediate medical attention.

    Warning

    • Blood that is coughed up from the respiratory tract is typically bright red or rust-colored and bubbly from being mixed with air and mucous. If you have unexplained hemoptysis and you are coughing up more than a few teaspoons of blood, especially if it is accompanied by dizziness, light-headedness or severe shortness of breath, call an ambulance and seek immediate medical attention.

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